Temporary reference signal for fast secondary cell activation

Abstract

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communication are described. A user equipment (UE) can receive, from a base station, a secondary cell activation message indicating that a secondary cell, in addition to a primary cell, is to be activated at the UE. The UE can identify, based at least in part on the secondary cell activation message, a slot location of a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal for cell activation measurements and a slot offset between the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal and a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, the slot offset including non-consecutive slots relative to the slot location. The UE can measure one or more characteristics of the secondary cell based at least in part on the aperiodic reference signal.

Description

[0001] Cross-referencing

[0002] This patent application claims the benefits of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 143,662, filed January 29, 2021, entitled “TEMPORARY REFERENCE SIGNAL FOR FAST SECONDARY CELL ACTIVATION,” and U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 586,574, filed January 27, 2022, entitled “TEMPORARY REFERENCE SIGNALFOR FAST SECONDARY CELL ACTIVATION,” each of which is assigned to the assignee. Technical Field

[0003] The following text relates to wireless communications, including temporary reference signals used for rapid secondary cell activation. Background Technology

[0004] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content, such as voice, video, packet data, messaging, and broadcasting. These systems can support communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources (e.g., time, frequency, and power). Examples of such multiple access systems include fourth-generation (4G) systems such as Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-A Advanced (LTE-A), or LTE-A Pro systems, and fifth-generation (5G) systems, which may be referred to as New Radio (NR) systems. These systems can employ technologies such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), or Discrete Fourier Transform Extended Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (DFT-S-OFDM). A wireless multiple access communication system may include one or more base stations or one or more network access nodes, each supporting communication from multiple communication devices simultaneously, which may also be referred to as User Equipment (UE). Summary of the Invention

[0005] The described technology relates to improved methods, systems, devices, and apparatuses for supporting temporary reference signals for fast secondary cell (SCell) activation. Generally, the described technology can improve SCell activation of a user equipment (UE) more quickly and efficiently. For example, the UE can receive an SCell activation message indicating that an SCell is being activated. The SCell activation message can be received from a primary cell (PCell), which may be associated with the same base station and / or a base station different from the SCell to be activated. The UE can, for example, identify the discontinuous time slot arrangement of the aperiodic reference signal (e.g., the time slot position of time slot n and the position of time slot n+k based on the time slot offset between time slot n and time slot n+k) based on the SCell activation message and / or other configurations. That is, the UE can use the activation message to identify: the time slot position of time slot n for a first portion of the aperiodic reference signal, and the time slot offset of time slot n+k in which a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal is transmitted by the SCell to be activated. The UE can then use relevant resources to measure the aperiodic reference signal from the SCell, for example, in the slot offset of the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal in slot n and the slot n+k where the second portion of the aperiodic reference signal is located, which constitutes a discontinuous slot. This allows the UE to synchronize with the SCell, thereby performing wireless communication faster and more efficiently.

[0006] A method for wireless communication at a UE is described. The method may include: receiving from a base station an SCell activation message indicating that an SCell, in addition to a PCell, will also be activated at the UE; identifying, based on the SCell activation message, a time slot position of a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal used for cell activation measurement and a time slot offset between the first portion and a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, the time slot offset including discontinuous time slots relative to the time slot position; and measuring one or more characteristics of the SCell based on the aperiodic reference signal. In some examples, the time slot position may be used for a first plurality of time slots carrying the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal, and the time slot offset may be located between the first plurality of time slots and a second plurality of time slots carrying the second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, such as... Figure 3 As shown. In some examples, the time-domain pattern (e.g., symbol) for the first part of the aperiodic reference signal carried in the first plurality of time slots can be repeated for the second part of the aperiodic reference signal carried in the second plurality of time slots (e.g., for which it is the same).

[0007] An apparatus for wireless communication at a UE is described. The apparatus may include a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions can be executed by the processor to cause the apparatus to: receive from a base station an SCell activation message indicating that an SCell, in addition to the PCell, will also be activated at the UE; identify, based on the SCell activation message, a time slot position of a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal used for cell activation measurement and a time slot offset between the first portion and a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, the time slot offset including discontinuous time slots relative to the time slot position; and measure one or more characteristics of the SCell based on the aperiodic reference signal.

[0008] Another apparatus for wireless communication at a UE is described. The apparatus may include: components for receiving from a base station an SCell activation message indicating that an SCell, in addition to the PCell, will also be activated at the UE; components for identifying, based on the SCell activation message, a time slot position of a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal used for cell activation measurement and a time slot offset between the first portion and a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, the time slot offset including discontinuous time slots relative to the time slot position; and components for measuring one or more characteristics of the SCell based on the aperiodic reference signal.

[0009] A non-transitory computer-readable medium is described, storing code for wireless communication at a UE. The code may include instructions executable by a processor to: receive from a base station an SCell activation message indicating that an SCell, in addition to the PCell, will also be activated at the UE; identify, based on the SCell activation message, a time slot position of a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal used for cell activation measurements and a time slot offset between the first portion and a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, the time slot offset including discontinuous time slots relative to the time slot position; and measure one or more characteristics of the SCell based on the aperiodic reference signal.

[0010] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, a time slot location includes a first time slot that includes resources for a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal, and a time slot offset identification includes a second time slot that includes resources for a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, the second time slot including discontinuous time slots relative to the first time slot.

[0011] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the resource usage for a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal during a first time slot differs from the resource usage for a second portion of an aperiodic reference signal during a second time slot in the time domain pattern.

[0012] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the time slot location includes a first set of multiple time slots, each of which includes resources for a first instance of an aperiodic reference signal, and the time slot offset identifies a second set of multiple time slots, each of which includes resources for a second instance of an aperiodic reference signal, the second set of multiple time slots including discontinuous time slots relative to the first set of multiple time slots.

[0013] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the resource usage of a first instance of an aperiodic reference signal during a first set of multiple time slots differs from the resource usage of a second instance of an aperiodic reference signal during a second set of multiple time slots in the time domain.

[0014] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for identifying time slot offsets based on one or more of the following: the frequency range of the SCell, the frequency band of the SCell, the combination of frequency bands of the SCell, the subcarrier spacing (SCS) of the SCell, the bandwidth portion (BWP) configuration of the SCell, the time-domain duplex (TDD) configuration of the SCell, or a combination thereof.

[0015] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for receiving configuration signals indicating time slot offsets.

[0016] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, configuration signals include downlink control information (DCI) that includes fields indicating slot offset, slot location, or both.

[0017] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for transmitting a UE capability message indicating the minimum time slot offset value of the UE, wherein the time slot offset may be based on the UE capability message.

[0018] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for identifying the minimum hour slot offset value of a UE for at least one of a frequency range, frequency band, frequency band combination, SCS, BWP configuration, or TDD configuration.

[0019] A method for wireless communication at a PCell is described. The method may include: identifying, for the UE, a time slot position of a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal for cell activation measurement of an SCell, and a time slot offset between the first portion and a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, the time slot offset including discontinuous time slots relative to the time slot position; and sending an SCell activation message to the UE indicating that an SCell will also be activated at the UE in addition to the PCell, and triggering the transmission of the aperiodic reference signal at the SCell based on the time slot position and the time slot offset.

[0020] An apparatus for wireless communication at a PCell is described. The apparatus may include a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions can be executed by the processor to cause the apparatus to: identify, for the UE, a time slot position of a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal for cell activation measurement of the SCell and a time slot offset between the first portion and a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, the time slot offset including discontinuous time slots relative to the time slot position; and send an SCell activation message to the UE indicating that the SCell, in addition to the PCell, will also be activated at the UE, and trigger the transmission of the aperiodic reference signal at the SCell according to the time slot position and the time slot offset.

[0021] Another apparatus for wireless communication at a PCell is described. The apparatus may include: components for identifying, for the UE, a time slot position of a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal for cell activation measurement of the SCell, and a time slot offset between the first portion and a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, the time slot offset including discontinuous time slots relative to the time slot position; and components for sending an SCell activation message to the UE indicating that the SCell, in addition to the PCell, will also be activated at the UE, and triggering the transmission of the aperiodic reference signal at the SCell according to the time slot position and the time slot offset.

[0022] A non-transitory computer-readable medium is described, storing code for wireless communication at a PCell. The code may include instructions executable by a processor to: identify a time slot position for a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal used by the UE to perform cell activation measurements for the SCell, and a time slot offset between the first portion and a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, the time slot offset including discontinuous time slots relative to the time slot position; and send an SCell activation message to the UE indicating that the SCell, in addition to the PCell, will also be activated at the UE, and trigger the transmission of the aperiodic reference signal at the SCell based on the time slot position and the time slot offset.

[0023] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, a time slot location includes a first time slot that includes resources for a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal, and a time slot offset identification includes a second time slot that includes resources for a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, the second time slot including discontinuous time slots relative to the first time slot.

[0024] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the resource usage for a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal during a first time slot differs from the resource usage for a second portion of an aperiodic reference signal during a second time slot in the time domain pattern.

[0025] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the time slot location includes a first set of multiple time slots, each of which includes resources for a first instance of an aperiodic reference signal, and the time slot offset identifies a second set of multiple time slots, each of which includes resources for a second instance of an aperiodic reference signal, the second set of multiple time slots including discontinuous time slots relative to the first set of multiple time slots.

[0026] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the resource usage of a first instance of an aperiodic reference signal during a first set of multiple time slots differs from the resource usage of a second instance of an aperiodic reference signal during a second set of multiple time slots in the time domain.

[0027] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for identifying time slot offsets based on one or more of the following: the frequency range of the SCell, the frequency band of the SCell, a combination of frequency bands of the SCell, the SCS of the SCell, the BWP configuration of the SCell, the TDD configuration of the SCell, or a combination thereof.

[0028] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for transmitting configuration signals indicating time slot offsets.

[0029] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, configuration signals include a DCI that includes fields indicating a slot offset, slot position, or both.

[0030] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for receiving a UE capability message indicating the minimum time slot offset value of the UE, wherein the time slot offset may be based on the UE capability message.

[0031] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for identifying the minimum hour slot offset value of a UE for at least one of a frequency range, frequency band, frequency band combination, SCS, BWP configuration, or TDD configuration. Attached Figure Description

[0032] Figure 1 An example of a wireless communication system that supports a temporary reference signal for fast secondary cell (SCell) activation according to various aspects of this disclosure is illustrated.

[0033] Figure 2 An example of a wireless communication system supporting a temporary reference signal for rapid SCell activation is illustrated in accordance with various aspects of this disclosure.

[0034] Figure 3 An example of an aperiodic reference information configuration for a temporary reference signal used for fast SCell activation, according to various aspects of this disclosure, is illustrated.

[0035] Figure 4 An example of an aperiodic reference information configuration for a temporary reference signal used for fast SCell activation, according to various aspects of this disclosure, is illustrated.

[0036] Figure 5 An example of an aperiodic reference information configuration for a temporary reference signal used for fast SCell activation, according to various aspects of this disclosure, is illustrated.

[0037] Figure 6 and Figure 7 A block diagram of a device supporting a temporary reference signal for rapid SCell activation is shown according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0038] Figure 8 A block diagram of a communication manager supporting a temporary reference signal for rapid SCell activation, according to various aspects of this disclosure, is shown.

[0039] Figure 9 A diagram of a system including a device supporting a temporary reference signal for rapid SCell activation, according to various aspects of this disclosure, is shown.

[0040] Figure 10 and Figure 11 A block diagram of a device supporting a temporary reference signal for rapid SCell activation is shown according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0041] Figure 12 A block diagram of a communication manager supporting a temporary reference signal for rapid SCell activation, according to various aspects of this disclosure, is shown.

[0042] Figure 13 A diagram of a system including a device supporting a temporary reference signal for rapid SCell activation, according to various aspects of this disclosure, is shown.

[0043] Figures 14 to 18 A flowchart is shown illustrating a method for providing a temporary reference signal for rapid SCell activation, according to various aspects of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0044] Activation of a secondary cell (SCell) typically takes a significant amount of time because the User Equipment (UE) must perform channel state measurements for the SCell to be activated based on periodic synchronization block (SSB) transmissions. For example, the frequency of SSB transmissions in a New Radio (NR) wireless communication system may be much lower than the frequency of Cell-Specific Reference Signal (CRS) transmissions in a Long Term Evolution (LTE) wireless communication system; therefore, SCell activation in NR can be much longer than CRS periodicity. Some wireless communications can support temporary reference signals (e.g., aperiodic reference signals) that can be transmitted on the SCell, enabling SCell activation without waiting for SSB transmissions. Examples of temporary reference signals include Tracking Reference Signals (TRS), Channel State Information (CSI-RS), Beam Reference Signals (BRS), Phase Tracking Reference Signals (PTRS), and / or newly designed reference signals. However, such wireless communication systems are configured such that temporary reference signals can be triggered by a Media Access Control (MAC) control element (CE) or downlink control information (DCI), but do not provide any mechanism related to how to configure temporary reference signals using such configuration signaling, how to indicate the configuration of temporary reference signals to the UE, etc.

[0045] Furthermore, some activated SCells can be associated with SSB periodicity greater than a threshold (e.g., SSB periodicity > 160 ms). In this case, two SSBs are used, with the first for Automatic Gain Control (AGC) and the second for channel tracking (e.g., for channel performance measurement). Adopting this approach for the temporary reference signal method discussed above can be problematic because wireless communication systems only allow temporary reference signal resources in one or two consecutive time slots. This could result in a situation where the UE cannot use the TRS to perform AGC and channel tracking.

[0046] The aspects of this disclosure are initially described in the context of wireless communication systems. Generally, the described techniques can improve SCell activation of a UE more quickly and efficiently. For example, a UE can receive an SCell activation message indicating that an SCell is being activated. The SCell activation message can be received from a primary cell (PCell), which may be associated with the same base station and / or a base station different from the SCell to be activated. The UE can, for example, identify the discontinuous slot arrangement of an aperiodic reference signal based on the SCell activation message and / or other configurations (e.g., the slot position of slot n and the position of slot n+k based on the slot offset between slot n and slot n+k). In this example, n and k are both positive integers.

[0047] In other words, the UE can use the activation message to identify: the slot position of slot n for the first part of the aperiodic reference signal, and the slot offset of slot n+k where the second part of the aperiodic reference signal is transmitted by the SCell to be activated. The UE can then use relevant resources to measure, for example, the slot offset of the aperiodic reference signal from the SCell, in slot n, and the slot offset of slot n+k where the first part of the aperiodic reference signal and the second part of the aperiodic reference signal are located, which constitutes a discontinuous slot. This allows the UE to synchronize with the SCell, thereby performing wireless communication faster and more efficiently.

[0048] The various aspects of this disclosure are further illustrated and described in conjunction with apparatus diagrams, system diagrams, and flowcharts relating to temporary reference signals for rapid SCell activation.

[0049] Figure 1 An example of a wireless communication system 100 for a temporary reference signal for rapid SCell activation according to various aspects of this disclosure is illustrated. The wireless communication system 100 may include one or more base stations 105, one or more UEs 115, and a core network 130. In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may be an LTE network, an Advanced LTE (LTE-A) network, an LTE-A Pro network, or an NR network. In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may support enhanced broadband communication, ultra-reliable (e.g., mission-critical) communication, low-latency communication, communication with low-cost and low-complexity devices, or any combination thereof.

[0050] Base stations 105 can be distributed throughout a geographical area to form a wireless communication system 100, and can be devices of different forms or with different capabilities. Base stations 105 and UE 115 can communicate wirelessly via one or more communication links 125. Each base station 105 can provide a coverage area 110, and UE 115 and base station 105 can establish one or more communication links 125 over the coverage area. Coverage area 110 can be an example of a geographical area over which base stations 105 and UE 115 can support signal communication according to one or more radio access technologies.

[0051] UE 115 can be distributed throughout the entire coverage area 110 of the wireless communication system 100, and each UE 115 can be fixed or mobile, or fixed or mobile at different times. UE 115 can be devices of different forms or with different capabilities. Figure 1 Some example UE 115s are shown in the document. The UE 115 described herein may be able to communicate with various types of devices, such as other UE 115s, base station 105, or network devices (e.g., core network nodes, relay devices, integrated access and backhaul (IAB) nodes, or other network devices). Figure 1 As shown.

[0052] Base station 105 can communicate with core network 130, communicate with each other, or both. For example, base station 105 can interface with core network 130 via one or more backhaul links 120 (e.g., via S1, N2, N3, or other interfaces). Base station 105 can communicate with each other directly (e.g., directly between base stations 105) or indirectly (e.g., via core network 130) or both via backhaul links 120 (e.g., via X2, Xn, or other interfaces). In some examples, backhaul link 120 can be or includes one or more radio links.

[0053] One or more of the base stations 105 described herein may include, or may be referred to by those skilled in the art as, base station, radio base station, access point, radio transceiver, NodeB, eNodeB (eNB), next-generation NodeB or giga-NodeB (any of which may be referred to as gNB), home NodeB, home eNodeB or other suitable terms.

[0054] UE 115 may include or be referred to as a mobile device, wireless device, remote device, handheld device, or subscriber device, or some other suitable term, wherein "device" may also be referred to as a unit, station, terminal, or client, among other examples. UE 115 may also include or be referred to as a personal electronic device such as a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet computer, a laptop computer, or a personal computer. In some examples, UE 115 may include or be referred to as a wireless local loop (WLL) station, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, an Internet of Everything (IoE) device, or a machine-type communication (MTC) device, among other examples, which can be implemented in a variety of objects, such as appliances, vehicles, meters, and other examples.

[0055] The UE 115 described in this document may be able to communicate with various types of devices, such as other UEs 115 that may sometimes act as relays, as well as base station 105 and network devices including macro eNBs or gNBs, small cell eNBs or gNBs, or relay base stations, etc. Figure 1 As shown.

[0056] UE 115 and base station 105 can wirelessly communicate with each other via one or more communication links 125 on one or more carriers. The term "carrier" can refer to a set of radio spectrum resources having a defined physical layer structure for supporting communication link 125. For example, a carrier for communication link 125 may include a portion (e.g., bandwidth portion (BWP)) of a radio frequency spectrum band that operates for a given RAT (e.g., LTE, LTE-A, LTE-APro, NR) according to one or more physical layer channels. Each physical layer channel may carry acquisition signaling (e.g., synchronization signals, system information), control signaling coordinating operations for the carrier, user data, or other signaling. Wireless communication system 100 can support communication with UE 115 using carrier aggregation or multi-carrier operation. UE 115 can be configured with multiple downlink component carriers and one or more uplink component carriers according to a carrier aggregation configuration. Carrier aggregation can be used for both frequency division duplex (FDD) and time division duplex (TDD) component carriers.

[0057] In some examples (e.g., in a carrier aggregation configuration), a carrier may also have acquisition or control signaling to coordinate the operation of other carriers. A carrier may be associated with a frequency channel (e.g., an Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number (EARFCN)) and can be located according to a channel grating for discovery by the UE 115. A carrier may operate in standalone mode, where initial acquisition and connection can be performed by the UE 115 via the carrier, or the carrier may operate in non-standalone mode, where the connection is anchored using different carriers (e.g., the same or different RATs).

[0058] The communication link 125 shown in the wireless communication system 100 may include uplink transmission from UE 115 to base station 105, or downlink transmission from base station 105 to UE 115. The carrier may carry downlink or uplink communication (e.g., in FDD mode), or may be configured to carry both downlink and uplink communication (e.g., in TDD mode).

[0059] A carrier can be associated with a specific bandwidth of the radio spectrum, and in some examples, the carrier bandwidth can be referred to as the carrier or the “system bandwidth” of the wireless communication system 100. For example, the carrier bandwidth can be one of several defined bandwidths of a carrier used for a particular radio access technology (e.g., 1.4, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 40, or 80 MHz). Devices of the wireless communication system 100 (e.g., base station 105, UE 115, or both) can have a hardware configuration that supports communication on a specific carrier bandwidth, or can be configured to support communication on one of a set of carrier bandwidths. In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may include a base station 105 or UE 115 that supports simultaneous communication via carriers associated with multiple carrier bandwidths. In some examples, each served UE 115 can be configured to operate on a portion (e.g., a subband, BWP) or all of the carrier bandwidth.

[0060] The signal waveform transmitted via a carrier can consist of multiple subcarriers (e.g., using multi-carrier modulation (MCM) techniques, such as orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) or discrete Fourier transform extended OFDM (DFT-S-OFDM)). In a system employing MCM, a resource element can include a symbol period (e.g., the duration of a modulation symbol) and a subcarrier, where the symbol period and subcarrier spacing are inversely related. The number of bits carried by each resource element can depend on the modulation scheme (e.g., the order of the modulation scheme, the coding rate of the modulation scheme, or both). Therefore, the more resource elements the UE 115 receives and the higher the order of the modulation scheme, the higher the data rate the UE 115 can potentially achieve. Wireless communication resources can refer to a combination of radio spectrum resources, temporal resources, and spatial resources (e.g., spatial layers or beams), and the use of multiple spatial layers can further improve the data rate or data integrity for communication with the UE 115.

[0061] One or more parameter sets can be supported for a carrier, where the parameter set may include subcarrier spacing (Δf) and cyclic prefix. A carrier can be divided into one or more BWPs with the same or different parameter sets. In some examples, UE 115 can be configured with multiple BWPs. In some examples, a single BWP for a carrier can be active at a given time, and communication for UE 115 can be restricted to one or more active BWPs.

[0062] The time interval of base station 105 or UE 115 can be expressed as a multiple of a basic time unit, for example, the basic time unit can refer to T. s =1 / (Δf) max ·N f The sampling period is ) seconds, where Δf max This can represent the maximum supported subcarrier spacing, and N f It can represent the maximum supported Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) size. Communication resources can be organized into time intervals based on radio frames, each with a specified duration (e.g., 10 milliseconds (ms)). Each radio frame can be identified by its System Frame Number (SFN) (e.g., ranging from 0 to 1023).

[0063] Each frame may include multiple consecutively numbered subframes or time slots, and each subframe or time slot may have the same duration. In some examples, a frame may be divided (e.g., in the time domain) into subframes, and each subframe may be further divided into multiple time slots. Alternatively, each frame may include a variable number of time slots, and the number of time slots may depend on the subcarrier spacing. Each time slot may include multiple periods (e.g., depending on the length of the cyclic prefix preceding each symbol period). In some wireless communication systems 100, time slots may be further divided into multiple micro-time slots containing one or more symbols. In addition to the cyclic prefix, each symbol period may contain one or more (e.g., N) f Sampling period. The duration of the symbol period can depend on the subcarrier spacing or the operating frequency band.

[0064] A subframe, time slot, micro-time slot, or symbol can be the smallest scheduling unit of the wireless communication system 100 (e.g., in the time domain) and can be referred to as a transmission time interval (TTI). In some examples, the duration of the TTI (e.g., the number of symbol periods in the TTI) can be variable. Alternatively or additionally, the smallest scheduling unit of the wireless communication system 100 can be dynamically selected (e.g., in a burst of shortened TTIs (sTTIs)).

[0065] Physical channels can be multiplexed on a carrier using various techniques. For example, physical control channels and physical data channels can be multiplexed on a downlink carrier using one or more of Time Division Multiplexing (TDM), Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM), or hybrid TDM-FDM techniques. A control region (e.g., a control resource set (CORESET)) for physical control channels can be defined by the number of symbol periods and can extend over the system bandwidth or a subset of the system bandwidth of the carrier. One or more control regions (e.g., CORESETs) can be configured for a set of UEs 115. For example, one or more UEs 115 can monitor or search for control regions for control information based on one or more search space sets, and each search space set can include one or more control channel candidates at one or more aggregation levels arranged in a cascaded manner. The aggregation level for control channel candidates can refer to the number of control channel resources (e.g., control channel elements (CCEs)) associated with coded information for a control information format having a given payload size. The search space set can include a common search space set configured to send control information to multiple UEs 115 and a UE-specific search space set for sending control information to a specific UE 115.

[0066] Each base station 105 may provide communication coverage via one or more cells (e.g., macro cells, small cells, hotspots, or other types of cells, or various combinations thereof). The term "cell" may refer to a logical communication entity used to communicate with base station 105 (e.g., via a carrier) and may be associated with an identifier used to distinguish neighboring cells (e.g., Physical Cell Identifier (PCID), Virtual Cell Identifier (VCID), or other identifier). In some examples, a cell may also refer to a geographic coverage area 110 or a portion of geographic coverage area 110 (e.g., a sector) on which a logical communication entity operates. Depending on various factors such as the capabilities of base station 105, the extent of these cells can range from smaller areas (e.g., structures, subsets of structures) to larger areas. For example, a cell may be or include buildings, subsets of buildings, or external space between or overlapping geographic coverage areas 110, etc.

[0067] Macro cells typically cover a relatively large geographical area (e.g., a radius of several kilometers) and can allow unrestricted access to UE 115 with a service subscription from a network provider supporting the macro cell. In contrast, small cells can be associated with a lower-power base station 105 and can operate in the same or different (e.g., licensed, unlicensed) frequency bands as macro cells. Small cells can provide unrestricted access to UE 115 through a service subscription from a network provider, or restricted access to UE 115 associated with the small cell (e.g., UE 115 in a Closed Subscriber Group (CSG), or UE 115 associated with a user in a home or office). Base station 105 can support one or more cells and can also support communication on one or more cells using one or more component carriers.

[0068] In some examples, a carrier can support multiple cells and can be configured with different cells based on different protocol types that can provide access to different types of devices (e.g., MTC, Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT), Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB)).

[0069] In some examples, base station 105 may be mobile, and thus provide communication coverage for mobile geographic coverage areas 110. In some examples, different geographic coverage areas 110 associated with different technologies may overlap, but the different geographic coverage areas 110 may be supported by the same base station 105. In other examples, overlapping geographic coverage areas 110 associated with different technologies may be supported by different base stations 105. Wireless communication system 100 may include, for example, a heterogeneous network, in which different types of base stations 105 use the same or different radio access technologies to provide coverage for various geographic coverage areas 110.

[0070] The wireless communication system 100 can support synchronous or asynchronous operation. For synchronous operation, base stations 105 can have similar frame timing, and transmissions from different base stations 105 can be approximately aligned in time. For asynchronous operation, base stations 105 can have different frame timing, and in some examples, transmissions from different base stations 105 can be misaligned in time. The techniques described herein can be used for both synchronous and asynchronous operation.

[0071] Some UE 115 devices (such as MTC or IoT devices) can be low-cost or low-complexity devices that can provide automated communication between machines (e.g., via machine-to-machine (M2M) communication). M2M communication or MTC can refer to data communication technologies that allow devices to communicate with each other or with base station 105 without human intervention. In some examples, M2M communication or MTC can include communication from devices that integrate sensors or meters to measure or capture information and forward such information to a central server or application that uses the information or presents it to humans interacting with the application. Some UE 115 devices can be designed to collect information or enable automated behavior of machines or other devices. Examples of applications for MTC devices include smart metering, inventory monitoring, water level monitoring, equipment monitoring, healthcare monitoring, wildlife monitoring, weather and geological event monitoring, fleet management and tracking, remote security sensing, physical access control, and transaction-based service charging.

[0072] Some UE 115s can be configured to operate in a power-saving mode, such as half-duplex communication (e.g., a mode that supports unidirectional communication via transmission or reception, but not simultaneous transmission and reception). In some examples, half-duplex communication may be performed at a reduced peak rate. Other power-saving techniques for UE 115s include entering a power-saving deep sleep mode when not engaged in active communication, operating on limited bandwidth (e.g., according to narrowband communication), or a combination of these techniques. For example, some UE 115s can be configured to operate using a narrowband protocol type associated with a defined portion or range (e.g., a set of subcarriers or RBs) within a carrier, within a carrier's guard band, or outside a carrier.

[0073] Wireless communication system 100 can be configured to support ultra-reliable communication or low-latency communication, or various combinations thereof. For example, wireless communication system 100 can be configured to support ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC) or mission-critical communication. UE 115 can be designed to support ultra-reliable, low-latency, or mission-critical functions (e.g., mission-critical functions). Ultra-reliable communication can include private or group communication and can be supported by one or more mission-critical services (such as mission-critical key-touch (MCPTT), mission-critical video (MCVideo), or mission-critical data (MCData)). Support for mission-critical functions can include prioritization of services, which can be used for public safety or general business applications. The terms ultra-reliable, low-latency, mission-critical, and ultra-reliable low-latency are used interchangeably herein.

[0074] In some examples, UE 115 is also able to communicate directly with other UE 115 via device-to-device (D2D) communication link 135 (e.g., using peer-to-peer (P2P) or D2D protocols). One or more UE 115s utilizing D2D communication can be within the geographic coverage area 110 of base station 105. Other UE 115s in this group may be outside the geographic coverage area 110 of base station 105 or may not be able to receive transmissions from base station 105 in other ways. In some examples, the group of UE 115s communicating via D2D communication can utilize a one-to-many (1:M) system, where each UE 115 transmits to every other UE 115 in the group. In some examples, base station 105 facilitates the scheduling of resources for D2D communication. In other cases, D2D communication is performed between UE 115s without involving base station 105.

[0075] In some systems, the D2D communication link 135 may be an example of a communication channel (such as a sidelink communication channel) between vehicles (e.g., UE 115). In some examples, vehicles may communicate using vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, or some combination of these communications. Vehicles may signal information related to traffic conditions, signal control, weather, safety, emergencies, or any other information related to the V2X system. In some examples, vehicles in a V2X system may communicate with roadside infrastructure (such as roadside units), or communicate with the network via vehicle-to-network (V2N) communication through one or more network nodes (e.g., base station 105), or both.

[0076] Core network 130 can provide user authentication, access authorization, tracking, Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity, and other access, routing, or mobility functions. Core network 130 can be an evolved packet core (EPC) or a 5G core (5GC), and can include at least one control plane entity (e.g., a mobility management entity (MME), access and mobility management function (AMF)) managing access and mobility, and at least one user plane entity routing packets or interconnects to external networks (e.g., a serving gateway (S-GW), a packet data network (PDN) gateway (P-GW), or a user plane function (UPF)). The control plane entity can manage non-access stratum (NAS) functions associated with core network 130 for UE 115 served by base station 105, such as mobility, authentication, and bearer management. User IP packets can be delivered through the user plane entity, which can provide IP address allocation and other functions. The user plane entity can connect to one or more network operator IP services 150. IP services 150 can include access to the Internet, intranets, IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), or packet-switched streaming services.

[0077] Some network devices, such as base station 105, may include sub-components such as access network entity 140, which may be an example of an access node controller (ANC). Each access network entity 140 may communicate with UE 115 through one or more other access network transmitting entities 145, which may be referred to as a radio headend, smart radio headend, or transmit / receive point (TRP). Each access network transmitting entity 145 may include one or more antenna panels. In some configurations, the various functions of each access network entity 140 or base station 105 may be distributed across various network devices (e.g., radio headends and ANCs) or combined into a single network device (e.g., base station 105).

[0078] Wireless communication system 100 can operate using one or more frequency bands, typically in the range of 300 MHz to 300 GHz. The region from 300 MHz to 3 GHz is generally referred to as the Ultra High Frequency (UHF) region or decimeter band because the wavelength range extends from approximately one decimeter to one meter in length. UHF waves may be blocked or redirected by buildings and environmental features; however, the waves may be sufficient to penetrate structures for use in macrocells to provide service to UE 115 located indoors. Compared to transmission using smaller frequencies and longer waves in the lower frequency (HF) or very high frequency (VHF) portions of the spectrum below 300 MHz, UHF wave transmission can be associated with smaller antennas and shorter distances (e.g., less than 100 km).

[0079] The wireless communication system 100 can also operate in the ultra-high frequency (SHF) region (also known as the centimeter band) using a frequency band from 3 GHz to 30 GHz, or in the extremely high frequency (EHF) region of the spectrum (e.g., from 30 GHz to 300 GHz) (also known as the millimeter band). In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 can support millimeter-wave (mmW) communication between the UE 115 and the base station 105, and the EHF antennas of the individual devices can be smaller and more closely spaced than UHF antennas. In some examples, this can facilitate the use of antenna arrays within the devices. However, the propagation of EHF transmissions may suffer even greater atmospheric attenuation and a shorter range than SHF or UHF transmissions. The techniques disclosed herein can be employed across transmissions using one or more different frequency zonings, and the frequency band usage specified across these frequency zonings can vary by country or regulatory authority.

[0080] Wireless communication system 100 can utilize both licensed and unlicensed radio spectrum bands. For example, wireless communication system 100 can use Licensed Assisted Access (LAA), LTE Unlicensed (LTE-U) radio access technology, or NR technology in unlicensed bands such as the 5 GHz Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) band. When operating in unlicensed radio frequency spectrum bands, devices such as base station 105 and UE 115 can employ carrier sensing for collision detection and avoidance. In some examples, operation in unlicensed frequency bands can be combined with component carriers operating in licensed bands based on carrier aggregation configurations (e.g., LAA). Operation in unlicensed spectrum can include downlink transmissions, uplink transmissions, P2P transmissions, or D2D transmissions, among other examples.

[0081] Base station 105 or UE 115 may be equipped with multiple antennas, which may be used to employ techniques such as transmit diversity, receive diversity, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication, or beamforming. The antennas of base station 105 or UE 115 may be located within one or more antenna arrays or antenna panels, which may support MIMO operation or transmit or receive beamforming. For example, one or more base station antennas or antenna arrays may be co-located at an antenna assembly such as an antenna tower. In some examples, the antennas or antenna arrays associated with base station 105 may be located in different geographical locations. Base station 105 may have an antenna array with multiple rows and columns of antenna ports, which base station 105 may use to support beamforming for communication with UE 115. Similarly, UE 115 may have one or more antenna arrays that may support various MIMO or beamforming operations. Additionally or alternatively, antenna panels may support radio frequency beamforming for signals transmitted via antenna ports.

[0082] Base station 105 or UE 115 can use MIMO communication to leverage multipath signal propagation and improve spectral efficiency by transmitting or receiving multiple signals via different spatial layers. This technique can be referred to as spatial multiplexing. For example, multiple signals can be transmitted by a transmitting device via different antennas or different combinations of antennas. Similarly, multiple signals can be received by a receiving device via different antennas or different combinations of antennas. Each of the multiple signals can be referred to as a separate spatial stream and can carry bits associated with the same data stream (e.g., the same codeword) or different data streams (e.g., different codewords). Different spatial layers can be associated with different antenna ports used for channel measurement and reporting. MIMO techniques include single-user MIMO (SU-MIMO) in which multiple spatial layers are transmitted to the same receiving device and multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO) in which multiple spatial layers are transmitted to multiple devices.

[0083] Beamforming (also known as spatial filtering, directional transmission, or directional reception) is a signal processing technique that can be used at a transmitting or receiving device (e.g., base station 105 or UE 115) to form or guide an antenna beam (e.g., a transmit beam, a receive beam) along a spatial path between the transmitting and receiving devices. Beamforming can be achieved by combining signals transmitted via antenna elements of an antenna array such that some signals propagating relative to the antenna array in a particular direction undergo constructive interference, while others undergo destructive interference. Adjustments to the signals transmitted via the antenna elements may include the transmitting or receiving device applying amplitude shifts, phase shifts, or both to the signals carried via the antenna elements associated with that device. The adjustments associated with each antenna element can be defined by a set of beamforming weights associated with a particular direction (e.g., relative to the antenna array of the transmitting or receiving device, or relative to some other direction).

[0084] Base station 105 or UE 115 may use beam scanning technology as part of beamforming operations. For example, base station 105 may use multiple antennas or antenna arrays (e.g., antenna panels) to perform beamforming operations for directional communication with UE 115. Some signals (e.g., synchronization signals, reference signals, beam selection signals, or other control signals) may be transmitted multiple times by base station 105 in different directions. For example, base station 105 may transmit signals according to different beamforming weight sets associated with different transmission directions. Beam directions may be identified using transmissions in different beam directions (e.g., by a transmitting device such as base station 105, or by a receiving device such as UE 115) for later transmission or reception by base station 105.

[0085] Some signals (such as data signals associated with a specific receiving device) may be transmitted by base station 105 in a single beam direction (e.g., the direction associated with a receiving device such as UE 115). In some examples, the beam direction associated with transmission along a single beam direction may be determined based on the signals transmitted in one or more beam directions. For example, UE 115 may receive one or more signals transmitted by base station 105 in different directions and may report to base station 105 an indication of the signals received by UE 115 with the highest signal quality or other acceptable signal quality.

[0086] In some examples, multiple beam directions can be used to perform transmissions by a device (e.g., base station 105 or UE 115), and the device can use a combination of digital precoding or radio frequency beamforming to generate a combined beam for transmission (e.g., from base station 105 to UE 115). UE 115 can report feedback indicating precoding weights for one or more beam directions, and this feedback can correspond to a configured number of beams across the system bandwidth or one or more sub-bands. Base station 105 can transmit reference signals that can be precoded or unprecoded (e.g., cell-specific reference signal (CRS), channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS)). UE 115 can provide feedback for beam selection, which can be a precoding matrix indicator (PMI) or codebook-based feedback (e.g., multi-panel type codebook, linear combination type codebook, port selection type codebook). Although these techniques are described with reference to signals transmitted by base station 105 in one or more directions, UE 115 may use similar techniques to transmit signals multiple times in different directions (e.g., to identify the beam direction used by UE 115 for subsequent transmission or reception) or to transmit signals in a single direction (e.g., to transmit data to a receiving device).

[0087] When receiving various signals such as synchronization signals, reference signals, beam selection signals, or other control signals from base station 105, the receiving device (e.g., UE 115) can attempt multiple receiving configurations (e.g., directional listening). For example, the receiving device can attempt multiple receiving directions by: receiving via different antenna subarrays; processing the received signal according to different antenna subarrays; receiving according to different sets of receiving beamforming weights applied to signals received at multiple antenna elements of the antenna array (e.g., different directional listening weight sets); or processing the received signal according to different sets of receiving beamforming weights applied to signals received at multiple antenna elements of the antenna array, any of which can be referred to as "listening" according to different receiving configurations or receiving directions. In some examples, the receiving device can use a single receiving configuration to receive along a single beam direction (e.g., when receiving data signals). The single receiving configuration can be aligned in a beam direction determined based on listening according to different receiving configuration directions (e.g., beam directions determined to have the highest signal strength, highest signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), or other acceptable signal quality based on listening according to multiple beam directions).

[0088] The wireless communication system 100 can be a packet-based network operating according to a layered protocol stack. In the user plane, communication at the bearer or packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer can be IP-based. The radio link control (RLC) layer can perform packet segmentation and reassembly for communication on logical channels. The media access control (MAC) layer can perform priority processing and multiplex logical channels into transport channels. The MAC layer can also use error detection techniques, error correction techniques, or both to support retransmissions at the MAC layer to improve link efficiency. In the control plane, the radio resource control (RRC) protocol layer can provide the establishment, configuration, and maintenance of RRC connections (which support radio bearers for user plane data) between the UE 115 and the base station 105 or core network 130. At the physical layer, transport channels can be mapped to physical channels.

[0089] UE 115 and base station 105 can support data retransmission to increase the likelihood of successful data reception. Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback is a technique to increase the likelihood of correct data reception over communication link 125. HARQ can include a combination of error detection (e.g., using Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC)), forward error correction (FEC), and retransmission (e.g., Automatic Repeat Request (ARQ)). HARQ can improve throughput at the MAC layer under poor radio conditions (e.g., low signal-to-noise ratio conditions). In some examples, the device can support same-slot HARQ feedback, where the device can provide HARQ feedback for data received in a previous symbol within a specific time slot. In other cases, the device can provide HARQ feedback in subsequent time slots or according to some other time interval.

[0090] UE 115 can receive an SCell activation message from base station 105 indicating that, in addition to the primary cell, the SCell will also be activated at UE 115. UE 115 can identify, at least in part, the time slot position of a first portion of the aperiodic reference signal used for cell activation measurement and the time slot offset between the first portion and a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, the time slot offset including discontinuous time slots relative to the time slot position, based on the SCell activation message. UE 115 can measure one or more characteristics of the SCell, at least in part, based on the aperiodic reference signal.

[0091] Base station 105 (e.g., when configured as a PCell of UE 115) can identify for UE 115 the time slot position of a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal for cell activation measurement of the SCell and the time slot offset between the first portion and a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, the time slot offset including discontinuous time slots relative to the time slot position. Base station 105 can send an SCell activation message to UE 115 indicating that the SCell will also be activated at UE 115 in addition to the primary cell, and trigger the transmission of the aperiodic reference signal at the SCell according to the time slot position and time slot offset.

[0092] Figure 2 An example of a wireless communication system 200 supporting a temporary reference signal for rapid SCell activation according to various aspects of this disclosure is illustrated. The wireless communication system 200 may implement various aspects of the wireless communication system 100. The wireless communication system 200 may include base station 205, base station 210, and / or UE 215, which may be examples of the corresponding devices described herein.

[0093] In other words, in some respects, base station 205 can be configured as the PCell of UE 215, and base station 210 can be an SCell activated for UE 215 (e.g., an SCell to be activated). However, it should be understood that the PCell and the SCell activated for UE 215 can be associated with the same base station and / or can be associated with different base stations. In the example where the PCell and SCell are associated with different base stations, such base stations can coordinate aspects of communication with UE 215 wirelessly and / or via a wired connection (e.g., via a backhaul connection).

[0094] In some cases, wireless communication systems can support temporary reference signals to expedite the activation process during SCell activation, thereby improving efficiency. Temporary reference signals can be supported for SCell activation, for example, within frequency range one (FR1) or frequency range two (FR2). More broadly, temporary reference signals can support functions related to AGC stabilization, time and / or frequency tracking / tuning during SCell activation, etc.

[0095] In some respects, the temporary reference signal may also be referred to as an aperiodic reference signal 220, which can be examples of TRS, aperiodic CSI-RS, persistent CSI-RS, semi-persistent CSI-RS, probe reference signal (SRS), PSS / SSS-based reference signal, etc. Other examples of reference signal types that can be configured as aperiodic reference signal 220 include, but are not limited to, phase tracking reference signals, beam tracking / management reference signals, etc. Therefore, the terms TRS, aperiodic reference signal, temporary reference signal, etc., can be used interchangeably herein.

[0096] Therefore, in some examples, TRS can be selected as a temporary reference signal for SCell activation (e.g., aperiodic reference signal 220). In some examples, the temporary reference signal can be triggered by DCI, MAC CE, etc. UE 215 can measure the triggered temporary reference signal during SCell activation, with the measurement time not earlier than a configured time threshold (e.g., not earlier than slot m).

[0097] Typically, when a SCell activation command is received in a time slot, UE 215 can support sending a valid CSI report and applying actions related to the SCell activation command to the activated SCell, no later than the time slot. T HARQ This can refer to the timing (in milliseconds) between downlink data transmission and the acknowledgment (e.g., HARQ-ACK feedback) of downlink data transmission. activation_timeThis can refer to the SCell activation delay in milliseconds. If the activated SCell is known and belongs to FR1, then T... activation_time It can be T FirstsSB +5ms, provided that the SCell measurement period is equal to or less than 160 milliseconds (e.g., to support fine tracking), or T FirstSSB_Max +T rs +5ms, provided the SCell measurement period is greater than 160 milliseconds (e.g., to support AGC with fine tracking). If the SCell is unknown and belongs to FR1, then T will increase if certain conditions are met. activation_time It can be T FirstSSB_Max +T SMTC_Max +2*T rs +5ms (e.g., to support AGC, fine tracking, and SSB detection). T rs This typically refers to the periodicity of the timing configuration (SMTC) of the activated SCell based on SSB measurements, provided that the SCell SMTC configuration has been provided to the UE in the SCell add message. Otherwise, T rs This can refer to the SMTC configured in a measObjectNR with the same SSB frequency and subcarrier spacing. If no SMTC configuration or measurement object is provided for UE 215 at this frequency, then an application involving T can be used. rs Requirements, T rs It equals 5 milliseconds, assuming the SSB transmission period is 5 milliseconds. T FirstSSB It can refer to a time slot Then until the end of the first complete SSB burst as indicated by the SMTC. T FirstSSB_Max It can refer to a time slot This refers to the time until the end of the first complete SSB burst indicated by the SMTC. This satisfies the following requirements: In FR1 and in the case of in-band SCell activation, this refers to the timing when all active serving cells and activated or released SCells transmit SSB bursts in the same time slot. In the case of inter-band SCell activation, this refers to the first timing when the activated SCell transmits an SSB burst. In FR2, this refers to the timing when all active serving cells and activated or released SCells transmit SSB bursts in the same time slot.

[0098] Therefore, for SCell activation using a temporary reference signal in FR1 and under specific conditions (e.g., SCell measurement period <= 160 ms), the SCell activation delay can be equal to: Similarly, T HARQ This typically refers to the timeline preceding the sending of the HARQ-ACK.Activation_time Usually refers to T FirstTempRS +5 milliseconds, where T FirstTempRS It is in n+T HARQ +3ms later until the start or end of the temporary reference signal. T CSI Reporting This typically refers to the delay prior to the first available CSI report, which includes uncertainty regarding CSI resources in the CSI report.

[0099] Therefore, in some examples, the temporary reference signal can be a TRS (e.g., a non-zero power (NZP)-CSI-RS resource set) configured with the parameter trs-Info. Typically, this can include configuring two NZP-CSI-RS resources in a time slot (on two OFDM symbols) or four NZP-CSI-RS resources in two consecutive time slots. The TRS can span the bandwidth of the downlink BWP, which will be active when the SCell is activated (e.g., at least initially). The downlink BWP can correspond to the first-active-DL-BWP-id configured for UE 215.

[0100] The time slot for transmitting the temporary reference signal, the NZP-CSI-RS resource set index, or any combination thereof can be indicated by triggering signaling for the temporary reference signal. In one option, this can include transmitting the triggering signaling in a MAC CE carried by a PDSCH. For example, the MAC CE triggering the temporary reference signal can be carried by a PDSCH that also carries the MAC CE for the active SCell. In another example, the MAC CE triggering the temporary reference signal can be indicated by a PDSCH that is different from the PDSCH carrying the MAC CE for the active SCell. Another option can include transmitting the triggering signaling in a DCI. For example, this can include a DCI scheduling a PDSCH carrying the MAC CE for the active SCell. As another example, this can include a DCI other than the one scheduling the PDSCH carrying the MAC CE for the active SCell.

[0101] According to such conventional techniques, the temporal allocation of temporary reference signals typically consists of configuring two CSI-RS resources within a time slot, or configuring four CSI-RS resources across consecutive time slots (the span of two consecutive time slots can be the same). This can be defined by the higher-level parameter CSI-RS-resourceMapping.

[0102] Therefore, fast SCell activation can be improved using a temporary reference signal configuration. In this context, the SCell activation delay can correspond to: Similarly, T HARQThis can correspond to the timeline before the ACK is sent. T activation time It can usually refer to T. temp Rs +5ms, where T temp RS It is in n+T HARQ +3ms later, the time to TRS. In some respects, the activation time can correspond to the time between the UE 215 sending the HARQ-ACK for the activation command, the time required for the UE 215 to measure the TRS, and the time until the UE 215 is ready to send the CSI-RS report.

[0103] While this approach may be suitable for active SCells with a measurement period of <= 160 milliseconds, other issues may arise for active SCells with a measurement period > 160 milliseconds. For SCell measurement periods > 160 milliseconds, two SSBs must be used. Since these two SSBs are at least 5 milliseconds apart in the time domain, the UE 215 has sufficient time to process AGC (e.g., using the first SSB) and perform tracking sequentially (e.g., using the second SSB for tracking / fine-tuning). However, the temporary reference signal technique discussed above generally has limitations, so the NZP-CSI-RS resource exists in one or two consecutive time slots. That is, since the NZP-CSI-RS resource is contained within a shorter duration (e.g., at most two time slots), the UE 215 may not have enough time to process AGC and perform fine-tuning. In other words, for SCSs of 15 kHz, 30 kHz, 60 kHz, and 120 kHz, the slot duration (e.g., NR slot length) can be 1 ms, 0.5 ms, 0.25 ms, and 0.125 ms, respectively. By restricting the configuration of temporary reference signal resources to a single slot or across two consecutive slots, it may not provide UE 215 with sufficient time to perform AGC operations and subsequent fine-tuning using the temporary reference signal.

[0104] Therefore, various aspects of the described technology provide various mechanisms for SCell activation using temporary reference signals across discontinuous time slots. For example, base station 205 (which may operate as a PCell for UE 215) can determine that base station 210 (e.g., the SCell in this example) will be activated for UE 215. Based on the SCell being activated for UE 215, base station 205 can identify the time slot position of a first portion of the aperiodic reference signal 220 used for cell activation measurements and the time slot offset between the first portion and a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal 220. That is, the time slot position of the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal may refer to a first time slot (and / or a first plurality of time slots) in which resources are allocated for the aperiodic reference signal 220. The second portion of the aperiodic reference signal may refer to a second time slot (and / or a second plurality of time slots) in which resources are also allocated for the aperiodic reference signal 220. The time slot offset may correspond to the number of time slots (e.g., time-domain separation) between the first portion and the second portion of the aperiodic reference signal 220. like Figure 2 As shown, time slot offset typically spans discontinuous time slots relative to the time slot position.

[0105] Base station 205 may then send an SCell activation message to UE 215, indicating that base station 210 (e.g., SCell) will also be activated in addition to PCell (e.g., base station 205 in this example). In some aspects, the SCell activation message may also trigger the transmission of an aperiodic reference signal 220 at the SCell based on the time slot position and time slot offset. For example, the SCell activation message may be sent in a DCI and / or MAC CE or otherwise transmitted (e.g., in a DCI that schedules the MAC CE indicating SCell activation and / or in a different DCI). If PCell and SCell are controlled or implemented by the same base station 205, the base station may use the SCell activation message as a timing trigger or other reference for the timing of the aperiodic reference signal 220. Alternatively, if PCell and SCell are controlled or implemented by different base stations 205, the base station 205 implementing PCell may coordinate with the base station implementing SCell such that the SCell activation message is a signal or trigger for the base station implementing SCell to transmit the aperiodic reference signal 220 at the SCell.

[0106] UE 215 can identify the slot position of the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal 220 used for cell activation measurement and the slot offset between the first and second portions of the aperiodic reference signal 220. For example, UE 215 can identify the slot position and slot offset based on an SCell activation message sent from base station 205. Therefore, UE 215 can use the aperiodic reference signal 220 to measure or otherwise determine various characteristics of the SCell. For example, UE 215 can use the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal 220 sent from base station 210 in a slot corresponding to the slot position to measure or otherwise perform AGC actions. UE 215 can use the second portion of the aperiodic reference signal 220 sent from base station 210 in a slot corresponding to the slot offset (e.g., during the second portion) relative to the slot position to measure or otherwise perform fine tuning (e.g., tracking). Therefore, UE 215 can send a CSI report indicating the result of the measurement to base station 210 to activate base station 210 as the SCell of UE 215.

[0107] Therefore, the wireless communication system 200 illustrates an example where a temporary reference signal is divided into two components: a first component (e.g., a first portion) is located in time slot n, and a second component (e.g., a second portion) is located in time slot n+k, where k>=0. This can include NZP-CSI-RS resources on the same OFDM symbol set configured in different time slots that are discontinuous with respect to each other. That is, the time slot location can correspond to a first time slot that includes resources for the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal 220, where the time slot offset identifies a second time slot that includes resources for the second portion of the aperiodic reference signal 220. Similarly, the first and second time slots can be discontinuous with respect to each other (e.g., at least one time slot can exist between time slot n, which includes the first portion, and time slot n+k, which includes the second portion). In some examples, the temporary reference signal (e.g., the aperiodic reference signal 220) can be configured such that multiple NZP-CSI-RS resources are configured, some of which are configured in time slot n, while others are configured in time slot n+k, where k>=0. In other words, the time-domain modes of the NZP-CSI-RS resources in time slot n and the NZP-CSI-RS resources in time slot n+k may not necessarily be the same. Therefore, in this example, the resources used for the first part of the aperiodic reference signal 220 during the first time slot may use a different time-domain mode than the resources used for the second part of the aperiodic reference signal 220 during the second time slot.

[0108] In another example (see reference) Figure 3(In more detail), configuring a temporary reference signal may include repeating two TRSs, where the first TRS begins (or ends) at time slot n, and the second TRS begins at time slot n+k, where k>=0. That is, in this example, the time slot location may include a first plurality of time slots, each of which includes resources for a first instance of the aperiodic reference signal 220. In this example, the time slot offset may identify a second plurality of time slots, each of which includes resources for a second instance of the aperiodic reference signal 220. Similarly, the temporal separation between the first plurality of time slots and the second plurality of time slots may span discontinuous time slots.

[0109] In some examples, slot n can be determined by a higher-level configuration offset from the slot that triggered the PDCCH. Multiple values ​​can be configured. For example, the DCI field (e.g., CSI request) can be configured to implicitly and / or explicitly indicate at least one of the slot location and / or slot offset values.

[0110] In some aspects, the necessary time interval (e.g., slot offset) between the first and second parts of the temporary reference signal can depend on the amount of time required for UE 215 to perform AGC stabilization. Therefore, aspects of the described techniques can be based on UE 215's ability to report its minimum configurable value k (e.g., slot offset) to the network. This could therefore include UE 215 sending a UE capability message that identifies or otherwise indicates UE 215's minimum slot offset value. In one example, UE 215 can report its minimum configurable value k (e.g., its minimum slot offset value) based on various parameters. Examples of parameters, individually or in any combination, include, but are not limited to, the FR, frequency band, frequency band combination, or SCS of the SCell to be activated. Therefore, when reporting its capability, UE 215 can report the minimum configurable value k for each FR, each frequency band, each frequency band combination, each SCS, etc., in one selection. This could mean that UE 215 reports multiple values ​​for the minimum configurable value k, each reported value for a specific situation (e.g., parameter).

[0111] In another example, UE 215 may report a minimum configurable value k (e.g., its minimum slot offset value) that is common for certain FRs, frequency bands, frequency band combinations, or SCSs. Therefore, UE 215 may report a minimum configurable value k that can be interpreted differently for different cases (e.g., for different parameters). As a limiting example, if UE 215 reports a minimum configurable value k = 2 in its UE capability message, this can be interpreted as two slots for a specific SCS (e.g., if SCS = 30 kHz, the two slots could correspond to 1 millisecond). 1 millisecond can be interpreted as the necessary time interval for another SCS. For example, if SCS = 60 kHz, the minimum configurable value k can be considered 4 because UE 215 reports k = 2 for a reference SCS = 30 kHz. Base station 205 may receive the UE capability message and identify or otherwise select the slot offset configuration of the temporary reference signal based on the UE capability message.

[0112] In some scenarios, UE 215 may be configured with an SMTC for a pending SCell (e.g., for base station 210), and at least one serving cell may exist in the same frequency band as a pending SCell. In this case, UE 215 may not need to monitor or may not expect a TRS that triggers DCI.

[0113] Figure 3 An example of an aperiodic reference information configuration 300 supporting a temporary reference signal for fast SCell activation, according to various aspects of this disclosure, is illustrated. The aperiodic reference signal configuration 300 can implement various aspects of wireless communication systems 100 and / or 200. Various aspects of the aperiodic reference signal configuration 300 can be implemented at or by a UE and / or base station, which can be examples of the corresponding devices described herein.

[0114] As described above, aspects of the described technology can enable a base station (e.g., PCell) to trigger the transmission of a temporary reference signal (e.g., an aperiodic reference signal 305) from an SCell activated for the UE, wherein the aperiodic reference signal 305 is in discontinuous time slots. That is, the PCell can transmit an SCell activation message indicating that, in addition to the PCell, the SCell will also be activated at the UE. The SCell activation message can indicate and / or trigger the identification of the time slot position of the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal 305 used for cell activation measurements (e.g., AGC) and the time slot offset between the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal 305 and the second portion of the aperiodic reference signal 305 also used for cell activation measurements (e.g., fine tuning / tracking). The time slot offset can correspond to the number of time slots between the first and second portions of the aperiodic reference signal 305. Figure 3 As shown, the time slot position can correspond to the time slot storing resources for the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal 305, which is a discontinuous time slot relative to the time slot storing resources for the second portion of the aperiodic reference signal 305. The SCell activation message can be implicitly and / or explicitly carried or otherwise transmitted via DCI and / or MAC CE.

[0115] Therefore, aspects of the described technology may include the base station and / or the UE determining the position of k (e.g., time slot offset) for time slot n+k (e.g., the second portion of the aperiodic reference signal 305). That is, the time slot offset may be referred to as k, where time slot n corresponds to the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal 305, and time slot n+k corresponds to the second portion of the aperiodic reference signal 305. Various techniques may be employed to identify and / or transmit indications of the value of k. As mentioned above, in some examples, the value of k may depend on the FR, frequency band, frequency band combination, SCS, BWP configuration, TDD UL-DL configuration, etc., of the SCell to be activated. Therefore, in some examples, the value of k may be based on UE capability signaling.

[0116] The first option may include implicit methods for identifying and / or indicating the value of k (e.g., slot offset). Broadly speaking, this may include the base station (e.g., PCell) and / or the UE identifying the slot offset based on the SCell's FR, SCell's frequency band, SCell's frequency band combination, SCell's SCS, SCell's BWP configuration, SCell's TDD configuration, etc. For example, the PCell and / or the UE may determine the value of k based on FR, frequency band, frequency band combination, or SCS, TDD configuration, etc., for the BWP configuration of the SCell to be activated.

[0117] As a non-limiting example, if the SCell to be activated is configured for the FR1 band, then k can be set to 2, while if the SCell to be activated is configured for the FR2 band, then k can be set to 3. As another non-limiting example, if the SCell to be activated uses SCS 15 / 30kHz, then k can be set to 2, while if the SCell to be activated uses SCS 60 / 120kHz, then k can be set to 3.

[0118] The second option can include an explicit approach that signals the values ​​of n and / or k explicitly. For example, higher-layer parameters can be used to identify slot n+k. For TRS-based SCell activation (e.g., SCell activation using aperiodic reference signal 305), the UE can receive a DCI format with a CSI request field, where the CSI request field indicates to the UE the location on the SCell to be activated where an aperiodic TRS is triggered and the start of the aperiodic TRS (e.g., slot n is indicated together with k). That is, combinations of {n,k} values ​​can be identified by the CSI request field. In a non-limiting example, the CSI request field value can include a field value "00" indicating {4,2} (e.g., n=4, k=2), a field value "01" indicating {5,2}, a field value "10" indicating {4,3}, and a field value "11" indicating {5,3}. Therefore, the PCell can send a configuration signal to the UE indicating a slot offset, which includes a DCI with fields indicating slot offset and / or slot location.

[0119] An example of an aperiodic reference signal configuration 300 is shown below: the time slot locations include a first plurality of time slots associated with a first portion of the aperiodic reference signal 305 (two time slots are shown as an example only) (e.g., each of the first plurality of time slots may include resources for a first instance of the aperiodic reference signal). Figure 3 In the non-limiting example shown, the first plurality of time slots spans two time slots, each time slot including resources for a first instance of the aperiodic reference signal 305 (two instances are shown per time slot only, by example only). The time slot offset in this example can identify a second plurality of time slots (two time slots are shown only, by example only) associated with a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal 305 (e.g., each time slot in the second plurality of time slots may include resources for a second instance of the aperiodic reference signal 305). Figure 3 In the non-limiting example shown, the second plurality of time slots spans two time slots, each time slot including resources for a second instance of the aperiodic reference signal 305 (two instances per time slot are shown only as an example). Therefore, the aperiodic reference signal configuration 300 is shown as an example where the temporary reference signal includes two repeating TRSs starting (or ending) at time slot n and a second TRS starting at time slot n+k, where k>=0.

[0120] Figure 4An example of an aperiodic reference information configuration 400 supporting a temporary reference signal for fast SCell activation, according to various aspects of this disclosure, is illustrated. The aperiodic reference information configuration 400 may implement aspects of wireless communication systems 100 and / or 200 and / or aperiodic reference signal configuration 300. The aspects of the aperiodic reference signal configuration 400 may be implemented at or by a UE and / or a base station, which may be examples of the corresponding devices described herein.

[0121] As described above, aspects of the described technology can enable a base station (e.g., PCell) to trigger the transmission of a temporary reference signal (e.g., an aperiodic reference signal 405) from an SCell activated for the UE, wherein the aperiodic reference signal 405 is in discontinuous time slots. That is, the PCell can transmit an SCell activation message indicating that, in addition to the PCell, the SCell will also be activated at the UE. The SCell activation message can indicate and / or trigger the identification of the time slot position of the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal 405 used for cell activation measurements (e.g., AGC) and the time slot offset between the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal 405 and the second portion of the aperiodic reference signal 405 also used for cell activation measurements (e.g., fine tuning / tracking). The time slot offset can correspond to the number of time slots between the first and second portions of the aperiodic reference signal 405. Figure 4 As shown, the time slot position can correspond to the time slot storing resources for the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal 405, which is a discontinuous time slot relative to the time slot storing resources for the second portion of the aperiodic reference signal 405. The SCell activation message can be implicitly and / or explicitly carried or otherwise transmitted via DCI and / or MAC CE.

[0122] As also mentioned above, in some respects, the value of k can be based on the FR, frequency band, frequency band combination, SCS, BWP configuration, TDD UL-DL configuration, etc. of the SCell to be activated. The aperiodic reference signal configuration 400 illustrates the following non-limiting example: the value of k is at least partially based on the TDD configuration of the SCell to be activated.

[0123] For example, the SCell to be activated can be configured using a TDD configuration where some of its time slots are designated as downlink time slots (D), uplink time slots (U), and / or flexible time slots (F). The aperiodic reference signal configuration 400 illustrates an example where, if time slot n corresponding to the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal 405 is a downlink time slot or special time slot that can be mapped to NZP-CSI-RS resources for the aperiodic reference signal 405, and time slot n+k corresponding to the second portion of the aperiodic reference signal 405 is initially configured to not be mapped to an uplink time slot for NZP-CSI-RS resources for the aperiodic reference signal 405, then the NZP-CSI-RS resources for time slot n+k can be deferred to the next time slot where NZP-CSI-RS resources can be accommodated. Therefore, in this example, the value of k can be selected and / or updated based on the TDD UL-DL configuration of the SCell to be activated. As described above, the values ​​of n and / or k can be implicitly and / or explicitly indicated to the UE.

[0124] Figure 5 An example of an aperiodic reference information configuration 500 supporting a temporary reference signal for fast SCell activation, according to various aspects of this disclosure, is illustrated. The aperiodic reference information configuration 500 can implement aspects of wireless communication systems 100 and / or 200 and / or aperiodic reference signal configurations 300 and / or 400. The aspects of the aperiodic reference signal configuration 500 can be implemented at or by a UE and / or base station, which can be examples of the corresponding devices described herein.

[0125] As described above, aspects of the described technology can enable a base station (e.g., PCell) to trigger the transmission of a temporary reference signal (e.g., an aperiodic reference signal 505) from an SCell activated for the UE, wherein the aperiodic reference signal 505 is in discontinuous time slots. That is, the PCell can transmit an SCell activation message indicating that, in addition to the PCell, the SCell will also be activated at the UE. The SCell activation message can indicate and / or trigger the identification of the time slot position of the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal 505 used for cell activation measurements (e.g., AGC) and the time slot offset between the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal 505 and a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal 505 also used for cell activation measurements (e.g., fine tuning / tracking). The time slot offset can correspond to the number of time slots between the first and second portions of the aperiodic reference signal 505. Figure 5As shown, the time slot position may correspond to the time slot storing the resources for the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal 505, which is a discontinuous time slot relative to the time slot storing the resources for the second portion of the aperiodic reference signal 505. The SCell activation message may be implicitly and / or explicitly carried or otherwise transmitted via DCI and / or MAC CE (such as triggering DCI 510).

[0126] As also mentioned above, in some aspects, the value of k can be based on the FR, frequency band, frequency band combination, SCS, BWP configuration, TDD UL-DL configuration, etc. of the SCell to be activated. The non-periodic reference information configuration 500 shows a non-limiting example of explicitly indicating the values ​​of n and k. That is, the configuration signal can be used to indicate the slot position and / or slot offset.

[0127] For example, a base station (e.g., PCell) can send a triggering DCI 510 to the UE indicating the values ​​of k and n. The triggering DCI 510 can be the same DCI that activates a SCell of the UE in addition to the PCell, or it can be a different DCI. The triggering DCI 510 can carry or otherwise transmit the indication of k and n using one or more fields. For example, a CSI request field can be used to indicate the values ​​of n and k. That is, combinations of {n,k} values ​​can be identified by the CSI request field. In a non-limiting example, the CSI request field value can include a field value "00" indicating {4,2} (e.g., n=4, k=2), a field value "01" indicating {5,2}, a field value "10" indicating {4,3}, and a field value "11" indicating {5,3}. Figure 5 In the non-limiting example shown, triggering DCI 510 can be an indication of the SCell to be activated {4,3}. Therefore, the PCell can send a configuration signal to the UE indicating a slot offset, which includes a DCI with fields indicating the slot offset and / or slot location. The UE can measure an aperiodic reference signal 505 in both the first and second parts (e.g., in discontinuous slots) to achieve cell acquisition to the SCell.

[0128] Figure 6 A block diagram 600 of a device 605 supporting a temporary reference signal for fast SCell activation according to various aspects of this disclosure is shown. Device 605 may be an example of various aspects of UE 115 as described herein. Device 605 may include a receiver 610, a transmitter 615, and a communications manager 620. Device 605 may also include a processor. Each of these components may communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0129] Receiver 610 may provide components for receiving information such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, and information channels related to temporary reference signals for fast SCell activation). The information may be transmitted to other components of device 605. Receiver 610 may utilize a single antenna or a collection of antennas.

[0130] Transmitter 615 may provide components for transmitting signals generated by other components of device 605. For example, transmitter 615 may transmit information such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels associated with temporary reference signals for fast SCell activation). In some examples, transmitter 615 may be co-located with receiver 610 in a transceiver module. Transmitter 615 may utilize a single antenna or a collection of multiple antennas.

[0131] The communication manager 620, receiver 610, transmitter 615, or various combinations thereof, or various components thereof, may be examples of components used to perform various aspects of a temporary reference signal for rapid SCell activation as described herein. For example, the communication manager 620, receiver 610, transmitter 615, or various combinations thereof, or components thereof, may support methods for performing one or more functions described herein.

[0132] In some examples, the communication manager 620, receiver 610, transmitter 615, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in hardware (e.g., in communication management circuitry). The hardware may include a processor, digital signal processor (DSP), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof configured to or otherwise support components for performing the functions described herein. In some examples, the processor and memory coupled to the processor may be configured to perform one or more functions described herein (e.g., by executing instructions stored in memory by the processor).

[0133] Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the communication manager 620, receiver 610, transmitter 615, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in code executed by a processor (e.g., as communication management software). If implemented in processor-executed code, the functionality of the communication manager 620, receiver 610, transmitter 615, or various combinations or components thereof may be performed by any combination of a general-purpose processor, DSP, central processing unit (CPU), graphics processing unit (GPU), ASIC, FPGA, or these or other programmable logic devices (e.g., components configured or otherwise supported for performing the functions described in this disclosure).

[0134] In some examples, the communication manager 620 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receive, monitor, transmit) using or otherwise cooperating with the receiver 610, transmitter 615, or both. For example, the communication manager 620 may receive information from the receiver 610, send information to the transmitter 615, or integrate with the receiver 610, transmitter 615, or a combination of both to receive information, send information, or perform various other operations described herein.

[0135] Communication manager 620 may support wireless communication at the UE according to the examples disclosed herein. For example, communication manager 620 may be configured or otherwise supported for receiving from a base station an SCell activation message indicating that the SCell will also be activated at the UE in addition to the primary cell. Communication manager 620 may be configured or otherwise supported for identifying, based on the SCell activation message, a time slot location of a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal for cell activation measurement and a time slot offset between the first portion and a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, the time slot offset including discontinuous time slots relative to the time slot location. Communication manager 620 may be configured or otherwise supported for measuring one or more characteristics of the SCell based on the aperiodic reference signal. In some examples, the time slot location may be used for a first plurality of time slots carrying the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal, and the time slot offset may be located between the first plurality of time slots and a second plurality of time slots carrying the second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, such as... Figure 3 As shown. In some examples, the time-domain pattern (e.g., symbol) for the first part of the aperiodic reference signal carried in the first plurality of time slots can be repeated for the second part of the aperiodic reference signal carried in the second plurality of time slots (e.g., for which it is the same).

[0136] By including or configuring a communication manager 620 according to the examples described herein, device 605 (e.g., a processor that controls or otherwise couples to receiver 610, transmitter 615, communication manager 620, or a combination thereof) can support AGC functions, frequency / phase tracking / tuning, etc., by scheduling discontinuous time slots with an aperiodic reference signal, thereby supporting techniques for improving the SCell activation process.

[0137] Figure 7 A block diagram 700 of a device 705 supporting a temporary reference signal for fast SCell activation according to various aspects of this disclosure is shown. Device 705 may be an example of aspects of device 605 or UE 115 as described herein. Device 705 may include a receiver 710, a transmitter 715, and a communication manager 720. Device 705 may also include a processor. Each of these components may communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0138] Receiver 710 may provide components for receiving information such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, and information channels related to temporary reference signals for fast SCell activation). The information may be transmitted to other components of device 705. Receiver 710 may utilize a single antenna or a collection of antennas.

[0139] Transmitter 715 may provide components for transmitting signals generated by other components of device 705. For example, transmitter 715 may transmit information such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels associated with temporary reference signals for fast SCell activation). In some examples, transmitter 715 may be co-located with receiver 710 in a transceiver module. Transmitter 715 may utilize a single antenna or a collection of multiple antennas.

[0140] Device 705 or its various components may be examples of parts used to perform various aspects of the temporary reference signal for fast SCell activation described herein. For example, communication manager 720 may include SCell activation manager 725, TRS configuration manager 730, channel performance manager 735, or any combination thereof. Communication manager 720 may be examples of various aspects of communication manager 620 described herein. In some examples, communication manager 720 or its various components may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receive, monitor, transmit) using receiver 710, transmitter 715, or both, or otherwise cooperate with them. For example, communication manager 720 may receive information from receiver 710, transmit information to transmitter 715, or be integrated with receiver 710, transmitter 715, or a combination thereof to receive information, transmit information, or perform various other operations described herein.

[0141] Communication Manager 720 may support wireless communication at the UE according to the examples disclosed herein. For example, SCell Activation Manager 725 may be configured or otherwise supported for receiving from a base station an SCell activation message indicating that the SCell will also be activated at the UE in addition to the primary cell. TRS Configuration Manager 730 may be configured or otherwise supported for identifying, based on the SCell activation message, the time slot position of a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal for cell activation measurement and the time slot offset between the first portion and a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, the time slot offset including discontinuous time slots relative to the time slot position. Channel Performance Manager 735 may be configured or otherwise supported for measuring one or more characteristics of the SCell based on the aperiodic reference signal. In some examples, the time slot position may be used for a first plurality of time slots carrying the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal, and the time slot offset may be located between the first plurality of time slots and a second plurality of time slots carrying the second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, such as... Figure 3 As shown. In some examples, the time-domain pattern (e.g., symbol) for the first part of the aperiodic reference signal carried in the first plurality of time slots can be repeated for the second part of the aperiodic reference signal carried in the second plurality of time slots (e.g., for which it is the same).

[0142] Figure 8A block diagram 800 is shown of a communication manager 820 supporting a temporary reference signal for fast SCell activation according to various aspects of this disclosure. The communication manager 820 may be an example of aspects of the communication manager 620, communication manager 720, or both described herein. The communication manager 820 or its various components may be examples of parts for implementing the various aspects of the temporary reference signal for fast SCell activation described herein. For example, the communication manager 820 may include an SCell activation manager 825, a TRS configuration manager 830, a channel performance manager 835, a timeslot offset manager 840, a configuration manager 845, a UE capability manager 850, or any combination thereof. Each of these components may communicate with each other directly or indirectly (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0143] Communication Manager 820 may support wireless communication at the UE according to the examples disclosed herein. SCell Activation Manager 825 may be configured or otherwise supported for receiving from the base station an SCell activation message indicating that the SCell will also be activated at the UE in addition to the primary cell. TRS Configuration Manager 830 may be configured or otherwise supported for identifying, based on the SCell activation message, the time slot position of a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal for cell activation measurement and the time slot offset between the first portion and a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, the time slot offset including discontinuous time slots relative to the time slot position. Channel Performance Manager 835 may be configured or otherwise supported for measuring one or more characteristics of the SCell based on the aperiodic reference signal.

[0144] In some examples, the time slot location includes a first time slot that includes resources for a first portion of the aperiodic reference signal, and the time slot offset identification includes a second time slot that includes resources for a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, the second time slot including discontinuous time slots relative to the first time slot.

[0145] In some examples, the resource usage for the first part of the aperiodic reference signal during the first time slot is a different time-domain pattern than the resource usage for the second part of the aperiodic reference signal during the second time slot.

[0146] In some examples, the time slot location includes a first set of multiple time slots, each of which includes resources for a first instance of an aperiodic reference signal, and the time slot offset identifies a second set of multiple time slots, each of which includes resources for a second instance of an aperiodic reference signal, the second set of multiple time slots including discontinuous time slots relative to the first set of multiple time slots.

[0147] In some examples, the resource usage for a first instance of an aperiodic reference signal during the first set of multiple time slots is a different time-domain pattern than the resource usage for a second instance of an aperiodic reference signal during the second set of multiple time slots.

[0148] In some examples, the slot offset manager 840 may be configured or otherwise support components for identifying slot offsets based on one or more of the following: the frequency range of the SCell, the frequency band of the SCell, the combination of frequency bands of the SCell, the subcarrier spacing of the SCell, the bandwidth portion configuration of the SCell, the time-domain duplex configuration of the SCell, or a combination thereof.

[0149] In some examples, the configuration manager 845 can be configured or otherwise supported for receiving configuration signals indicating time slot offsets.

[0150] In some examples, the configuration signals include downlink control information, which includes fields indicating slot offset, slot location, or both.

[0151] In some examples, the UE capability manager 850 may be configured or otherwise supported to send a UE capability message indicating the UE's minimum time slot offset value, wherein the time slot offset is based on the UE capability message.

[0152] In some examples, the UE Capability Manager 850 may be configured or otherwise supported to identify the minimum hour slot offset value of the UE for at least one of the following: frequency range, frequency band, frequency band combination, subcarrier spacing, bandwidth portion configuration, or time domain duplex configuration.

[0153] Figure 9 A diagram of a system 900 including a device 905 supporting a temporary reference signal for fast SCell activation is shown according to various aspects of this disclosure. Device 905 may be an example of device 605, device 705, or UE 115 as described herein, or may include components thereof. Device 905 may wirelessly communicate with one or more base stations 105, UE 115, or any combination thereof. Device 905 may include components for bidirectional voice and data communication, including components for transmitting and receiving communications, such as a communication manager 920, an input / output (I / O) controller 910, a transceiver 915, an antenna 925, a memory 930, a code 935, and a processor 940. These components may communicate electronically or be otherwise coupled (e.g., operative ground, communication ground, functional ground, electronic ground, electrical ground) via one or more buses (e.g., bus 945).

[0154] I / O controller 910 can manage the input and output signals of device 905. I / O controller 910 can also manage peripheral devices not integrated into device 905. In some cases, I / O controller 910 can represent a physical connection or port to an external peripheral device. In some cases, I / O controller 910 can utilize, for example... Or an operating system such as another known operating system. Additionally or alternatively, the I / O controller 910 may represent or interact with a modem, keyboard, mouse, touchscreen, or similar device. In some cases, the I / O controller 910 may be implemented as part of a processor, such as processor 940. In some cases, a user may interact with device 905 via the I / O controller 910 or via hardware components controlled by the I / O controller 910.

[0155] In some cases, device 905 may include a single antenna 925. However, in other cases, device 905 may have more than one antenna 925, which may be able to transmit or receive multiple wireless transmissions simultaneously. Transceiver 915 may communicate bidirectionally via one or more antennas 925, wired or wireless links as described herein. For example, transceiver 915 may represent a wireless transceiver and may communicate bidirectionally with another wireless transceiver. Transceiver 915 may also include a modem for modulating packets and providing modulated packets to one or more antennas 925 for transmission, and for demodulating packets received from one or more antennas 925. Transceiver 915, or transceiver 915 and one or more antennas 925, may be an example of transmitter 615, transmitter 715, receiver 610, receiver 710, or any combination thereof or components thereof as described herein.

[0156] Memory 930 may include random access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM). Memory 930 may store computer-readable, computer-executable code 935, including instructions that, when executed by processor 940, cause device 905 to perform the various functions described herein. Code 935 may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as system memory or other types of memory. In some cases, code 935 may not be directly executable by processor 940, but may enable a computer (e.g., when compiled and executed) to perform the functions described herein. In some cases, memory 930 may, in particular, include a basic I / O system (BIOS) that controls basic hardware or software operations, such as interaction with peripheral components or devices.

[0157] Processor 940 may include intelligent hardware devices (e.g., general-purpose processors, DSPs, CPUs, microcontrollers, ASICs, FPGAs, programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic components, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof). In some cases, processor 940 may be configured to use a memory controller to operate a memory array. In other cases, the memory controller may be integrated into processor 940. Processor 940 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in memory (e.g., memory 930) to cause device 905 to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks supporting temporary reference signals for fast SCell activation). For example, device 905 or components of device 905 may include processor 940 and memory 930 coupled to processor 940, processor 940 and memory 930 being configured to perform the various functions described herein.

[0158] Communication manager 920 may support wireless communication at the UE according to the examples disclosed herein. For example, communication manager 920 may be configured or otherwise supported for receiving from a base station an SCell activation message indicating that the SCell will also be activated at the UE in addition to the primary cell. Communication manager 920 may be configured or otherwise supported for identifying, based on the SCell activation message, the time slot position of a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal for cell activation measurement and the time slot offset between the first portion and a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, the time slot offset including discontinuous time slots relative to the time slot position. Communication manager 920 may be configured or otherwise supported for measuring one or more characteristics of the SCell based on the aperiodic reference signal.

[0159] By including or configuring a communication manager 920 according to the example described herein, device 905 can support AGC functions, frequency / phase tracking / tuning, etc., by scheduling discontinuous time slots with an aperiodic reference signal, thereby supporting techniques for improving the SCell activation process.

[0160] In some examples, the communication manager 920 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receive, monitor, transmit) using or in cooperation with transceiver 915, one or more antennas 925, or any combination thereof. Although the communication manager 920 is shown as a separate component, in some examples, one or more functions described with reference to the communication manager 920 may be supported by or executed by processor 940, memory 930, code 935, or any combination thereof. For example, code 935 may include instructions executable by processor 940 to cause device 905 to perform various aspects of the temporary reference signal for rapid SCell activation described herein, or processor 940 and memory 930 may be otherwise configured to perform or support such operations.

[0161] Figure 10 A block diagram 1000 of a device 1005 supporting a temporary reference signal for rapid SCell activation according to various aspects of this disclosure is shown. Device 1005 may be an example of various aspects of base station 105 as described herein. Device 1005 may include a receiver 1010, a transmitter 1015, and a communication manager 1020. Device 1005 may also include a processor. Each of these components may communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0162] Receiver 1010 may provide components for receiving information such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, and information channels related to temporary reference signals for fast SCell activation). The information may be transmitted to other components of device 1005. Receiver 1010 may utilize a single antenna or a collection of antennas.

[0163] Transmitter 1015 may provide components for transmitting signals generated by other components of device 1005. For example, transmitter 1015 may transmit information such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels associated with temporary reference signals for fast SCell activation). In some examples, transmitter 1015 may be co-located with receiver 1010 in a transceiver module. Transmitter 1015 may utilize a single antenna or a collection of multiple antennas.

[0164] The communication manager 1020, receiver 1010, transmitter 1015, or various combinations thereof, or various components thereof, may be examples of components used to perform various aspects of a temporary reference signal for fast SCell activation as described herein. For example, the communication manager 1020, receiver 1010, transmitter 1015, or various combinations thereof, or components thereof, may support methods for performing one or more functions described herein.

[0165] In some examples, the communication manager 1020, receiver 1010, transmitter 1015, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in hardware (e.g., in communication management circuitry). The hardware may include processors, DSPs, ASICs, FPGAs, or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof configured or otherwise supporting components for performing the functions described herein. In some examples, the processor and memory coupled to the processor may be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein (e.g., by executing instructions stored in memory by the processor).

[0166] Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the communication manager 1020, receiver 1010, transmitter 1015, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in code executed by a processor (e.g., as communication management software). If implemented in processor-executed code, the functionality of the communication manager 1020, receiver 1010, transmitter 1015, or various combinations or components thereof may be performed by any combination of a general-purpose processor, DSP, CPU, GPU, ASIC, FPGA, or these or other programmable logic devices (e.g., components configured or otherwise supported for performing the functions described in this disclosure).

[0167] In some examples, the communication manager 1020 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receive, monitor, transmit) using or otherwise cooperating with the receiver 1010, transmitter 1015, or both. For example, the communication manager 1020 may receive information from the receiver 1010, send information to the transmitter 1015, or integrate with the receiver 1010, transmitter 1015, or a combination of both to receive information, send information, or perform various other operations described herein.

[0168] Communication manager 1020 may support wireless communication at the primary cell according to the examples disclosed herein. For example, communication manager 1020 may be configured or otherwise supported for time slot positions of a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal for cell activation measurements for SCell identification by the UE, and for time slot offsets between the first portion and a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, the time slot offsets including discontinuous time slots relative to the time slot positions. Communication manager 1020 may be configured or otherwise supported for sending an SCell activation message to the UE indicating that the SCell will also be activated at the UE in addition to the primary cell, and for triggering the transmission of the aperiodic reference signal at the SCell according to the time slot positions and time slot offsets. In some examples, time slot positions may be used for first plurality of time slots carrying the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal, and time slot offsets may be located between the first plurality of time slots and second plurality of time slots carrying the second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, such as... Figure 3 As shown. In some examples, the time-domain pattern (e.g., symbol) for the first part of the aperiodic reference signal carried in the first plurality of time slots can be repeated for the second part of the aperiodic reference signal carried in the second plurality of time slots (e.g., for which it is the same).

[0169] By including or configuring a communication manager 1020 according to the examples described herein, device 1005 (e.g., a processor that controls or is otherwise coupled to receiver 1010, transmitter 1015, communication manager 1020, or a combination thereof) can support AGC functions, frequency / phase tracking / tuning, etc., by scheduling discontinuous time slots with an aperiodic reference signal, thereby supporting techniques for improving the SCell activation process.

[0170] Figure 11 A block diagram 1100 of a device 1105 supporting a temporary reference signal for rapid SCell activation according to aspects of this disclosure is shown. Device 1105 may be an example of aspects of device 1005 as described herein or base station 105. Device 1105 may include receiver 1110, transmitter 1115, and communication manager 1120. Device 1105 may also include a processor. Each of these components may communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0171] Receiver 1110 may provide components for receiving information such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, and information channels associated with temporary reference signals for fast SCell activation). The information may be transmitted to other components of device 1105. Receiver 1110 may utilize a single antenna or a collection of antennas.

[0172] Transmitter 1115 may provide components for transmitting signals generated by other components of device 1105. For example, transmitter 1115 may transmit information such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels associated with temporary reference signals for fast SCell activation). In some examples, transmitter 1115 may be co-located with receiver 1110 in a transceiver module. Transmitter 1115 may utilize a single antenna or a collection of multiple antennas.

[0173] Device 1105 or its various components may be examples of parts used to perform various aspects of the temporary reference signal for rapid SCell activation as described herein. For example, communication manager 1120 may include TRS configuration manager 1125, SCell activation manager 1130, or any combination thereof. Communication manager 1120 may be examples of various aspects of communication manager 1020 as described herein. In some examples, communication manager 1120 or its various components may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receive, monitor, transmit) using receiver 1110, transmitter 1115, or both, or otherwise cooperate with them. For example, communication manager 1120 may receive information from receiver 1110, transmit information to transmitter 1115, or integrate with receiver 1110, transmitter 1115, or a combination thereof to receive information, transmit information, or perform various other operations as described herein.

[0174] Communication manager 1120 may support wireless communication at the primary cell, as illustrated in the examples disclosed herein. For instance, TRS configuration manager 1125 may be configured or otherwise supported for components to identify the slot position of a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal for cell activation measurement of the SCell for the UE, and for a slot offset between the first portion and a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, the slot offset including discontinuous slots relative to the slot position. SCell activation manager 1130 may be configured or otherwise supported for sending an SCell activation message to the UE indicating that the SCell will also be activated at the UE in addition to the primary cell, and for triggering the transmission of the aperiodic reference signal at the SCell based on the slot position and slot offset.

[0175] Figure 12A block diagram 1200 is shown of a communication manager 1220 supporting a temporary reference signal for fast SCell activation according to various aspects of this disclosure. The communication manager 1220 may be an example of aspects of the communication manager 1020, communication manager 1120, or both described herein. The communication manager 1220 or its various components may be examples of parts for implementing the various aspects of the temporary reference signal for fast SCell activation described herein. For example, the communication manager 1220 may include a TRS configuration manager 1225, an SCell activation manager 1230, a slot offset manager 1235, a configuration manager 1240, a UE capability manager 1245, or any combination thereof. Each of these components may communicate with each other directly or indirectly (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0176] Communication manager 1220 may support wireless communication at the primary cell, as illustrated in the examples disclosed herein. For instance, TRS configuration manager 1225 may be configured or otherwise supported for components to identify the slot position of a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal for cell activation measurement of the SCell for the UE, and for a slot offset between the first portion and a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, the slot offset including discontinuous slots relative to the slot position. SCell activation manager 1230 may be configured or otherwise supported for sending an SCell activation message to the UE indicating that the SCell will also be activated at the UE in addition to the primary cell, and for triggering the transmission of the aperiodic reference signal at the SCell based on the slot position and slot offset.

[0177] In some examples, the time slot location includes a first time slot that includes resources for a first portion of the aperiodic reference signal, and the time slot offset identification includes a second time slot that includes resources for a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, the second time slot including discontinuous time slots relative to the first time slot.

[0178] In some examples, the resource usage for the first part of the aperiodic reference signal during the first time slot is a different time-domain pattern than the resource usage for the second part of the aperiodic reference signal during the second time slot.

[0179] In some examples, the time slot location includes a first set of multiple time slots, each of which includes resources for a first instance of an aperiodic reference signal, and the time slot offset identifies a second set of multiple time slots, each of which includes resources for a second instance of an aperiodic reference signal, the second set of multiple time slots including discontinuous time slots relative to the first set of multiple time slots.

[0180] In some examples, the resource usage for a first instance of an aperiodic reference signal during the first set of multiple time slots is a different time-domain pattern than the resource usage for a second instance of an aperiodic reference signal during the second set of multiple time slots.

[0181] In some examples, the slot offset manager 1235 may be configured or otherwise support components for identifying slot offsets based on one or more of the following: the frequency range of the SCell, the frequency band of the SCell, the combination of frequency bands of the SCell, the subcarrier spacing of the SCell, the bandwidth portion configuration of the SCell, the time-domain duplex configuration of the SCell, or a combination thereof.

[0182] In some examples, the configuration manager 1240 may be configured or otherwise supported by components for sending configuration signals indicating time slot offsets.

[0183] In some examples, the configuration signal includes a DCI, which includes fields indicating slot offset, slot location, or both.

[0184] In some examples, the UE capability manager 1245 may be configured or otherwise supported for receiving a UE capability message indicating the UE's minimum time slot offset value, wherein the time slot offset is based on the UE capability message.

[0185] In some examples, the UE capability manager 1245 may be configured or otherwise supported to identify the minimum hour slot offset value of the UE for at least one of the following: frequency range, frequency band, frequency band combination, subcarrier spacing, bandwidth portion configuration, or time domain duplex configuration.

[0186] Figure 13 A diagram of a system 1300 including a device 1305 supporting a temporary reference signal for fast SCell activation, according to various aspects of this disclosure, is shown. Device 1305 may be an example of device 1005, device 1105, or base station 105 as described herein, or may include components thereof. Device 1305 may wirelessly communicate with one or more base stations 105, UE 115, or any combination thereof. Device 1305 may include components for bidirectional voice and data communication, including components for transmitting and receiving communications, such as a communication manager 1320, a network communication manager 1310, a transceiver 1315, an antenna 1325, a memory 1330, code 1335, a processor 1340, and an inter-station communication manager 1345. These components may communicate electronically or be otherwise coupled (e.g., operational ground, communication ground, functional ground, electronic ground, electrical ground) via one or more buses (e.g., bus 1350).

[0187] The network communication manager 1310 can manage communication with the core network 130 (e.g., via one or more wired backhaul links). For example, the network communication manager 1310 can manage data communication transmissions of client devices such as one or more UEs 115.

[0188] In some cases, device 1305 may include a single antenna 1325. However, in other cases, device 1305 may have more than one antenna 1325, which may be able to transmit or receive multiple wireless transmissions simultaneously. Transceiver 1315 may communicate bidirectionally via one or more antennas 1325, wired or wireless links as described herein. For example, transceiver 1315 may represent a wireless transceiver and may communicate bidirectionally with another wireless transceiver. Transceiver 1315 may also include a modem for modulating packets and providing modulated packets to one or more antennas 1325 for transmission, and for demodulating packets received from one or more antennas 1325. Transceiver 1315, or transceiver 1315 and one or more antennas 1325, may be an example of transmitter 1015, transmitter 1115, receiver 1010, receiver 1110, or any combination thereof or components thereof as described herein.

[0189] Memory 1330 may include RAM and ROM. Memory 1330 may store computer-readable, computer-executable code 1335, including instructions that, when executed by processor 1340, cause device 1305 to perform the various functions described herein. Code 1335 may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as system memory or other types of memory. In some cases, code 1335 may not be directly executable by processor 1340, but may enable a computer (e.g., when compiled and executed) to perform the functions described herein. In some cases, memory 1330 may, in particular, contain a BIOS that controls basic hardware or software operations, such as interaction with peripheral components or devices.

[0190] Processor 1340 may include intelligent hardware devices (e.g., general-purpose processors, DSPs, CPUs, microcontrollers, ASICs, FPGAs, programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic components, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof). In some cases, processor 1340 may be configured to use a memory controller to operate a memory array. In other cases, the memory controller may be integrated into processor 1340. Processor 1340 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in memory (e.g., memory 1330) to cause device 1305 to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks supporting temporary reference signals for fast SCell activation). For example, device 1305 or components of device 1305 may include processor 1340 and memory 1330 coupled to processor 1340, processor 1340 and memory 1330 being configured to perform the various functions described herein.

[0191] Inter-site communication manager 1345 can manage communication with other base stations 105 and may include a controller or scheduler for cooperating with other base stations 105 to control communication with UE 115. For example, inter-site communication manager 1345 can coordinate the scheduling of transmissions to UE 115 for various interference mitigation techniques, such as beamforming or joint transmission. In some examples, inter-site communication manager 1345 may provide an X2 interface within LTE / LTE-A wireless communication network technology, thereby facilitating communication between base stations 105.

[0192] Communication manager 1320 may support wireless communication at the primary cell according to the examples disclosed herein. For example, communication manager 1320 may be configured or otherwise supported for time slot positions of a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal for cell activation measurements for SCell identification by the UE, and for time slot offsets between the first portion and a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, the time slot offsets including discontinuous time slots relative to the time slot positions. Communication manager 1320 may be configured or otherwise supported for sending an SCell activation message to the UE indicating that the SCell will also be activated at the UE in addition to the primary cell, and for triggering the transmission of the aperiodic reference signal at the SCell according to the time slot positions and time slot offsets. In some examples, time slot positions may be used for first plurality of time slots carrying the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal, and time slot offsets may be located between the first plurality of time slots and second plurality of time slots carrying the second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, such as... Figure 3 As shown. In some examples, the time-domain pattern (e.g., symbol) for the first part of the aperiodic reference signal carried in the first plurality of time slots can be repeated for the second part of the aperiodic reference signal carried in the second plurality of time slots (e.g., for which it is the same).

[0193] By including or configuring the communication manager 1320 according to the example described herein, the device 1305 can support AGC functions, frequency / phase tracking / tuning, etc., by scheduling discontinuous time slots with an aperiodic reference signal, thereby supporting techniques for improving the SCell activation process.

[0194] In some examples, the communication manager 1320 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, monitoring, transmitting) using or otherwise cooperating with transceiver 1315, one or more antennas 1325, or any combination thereof. Although the communication manager 1320 is shown as a separate component, in some examples, one or more functions described with reference to the communication manager 1320 may be supported by or executed by processor 1340, memory 1330, code 1335, or any combination thereof. For example, code 1335 may include instructions executable by processor 1340 to cause device 1305 to perform various aspects of the temporary reference signal for fast SCell activation described herein, or processor 1340 and memory 1330 may be otherwise configured to perform or support such operations.

[0195] Figure 14 A flowchart is shown illustrating method 1400 for supporting a temporary reference signal for fast SCell activation according to various aspects of this disclosure. Operation of method 1400 can be implemented by a UE or its components as described herein. For example, operation of method 1400 can be achieved by a reference signal... Figures 1 to 9 The UE 115 described herein is used to perform this function. In some examples, the UE may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the UE to perform the described function. Additionally or alternatively, the UE may use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the described function.

[0196] At 1405, the method may include receiving from the base station an SCell activation message indicating that the SCell will also be activated at the UE in addition to the primary cell. The operation at 1405 can be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation at 1405 may be derived from references... Figure 8 The SCell Activation Manager 825 described is used to perform this.

[0197] At 1410, the method may include identifying, based on the SCell activation message, a time slot position of a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal for cell activation measurement and a time slot offset between the first portion and a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, the time slot offset including discontinuous time slots relative to the time slot position. The operation of 1410 can be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1410 may be determined by the reference... Figure 8 The TRS Configuration Manager 830 described herein is used for execution. In some examples, the time slot position can be used for a first plurality of time slots carrying a first portion of the aperiodic reference signal, and the time slot offset can be located between the first plurality of time slots and a second plurality of time slots carrying a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, such as... Figure 3 As shown. In some examples, the time-domain pattern (e.g., symbol) for the first part of the aperiodic reference signal carried in the first plurality of time slots can be repeated for the second part of the aperiodic reference signal carried in the second plurality of time slots (e.g., for which it is the same).

[0198] At 1415, the method may include measuring one or more characteristics of the SCell based on an aperiodic reference signal. The operation at 1415 can be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation at 1415 may be determined by the reference signal. Figure 8 The Channel Performance Manager 835 is described and executed accordingly.

[0199] Figure 15 A flowchart is shown illustrating method 1500 for supporting a temporary reference signal for rapid SCell activation according to various aspects of this disclosure. Operation of method 1500 can be implemented by a UE or its components as described herein. For example, operation of method 1500 can be achieved by a reference signal... Figures 1 to 9 The UE 115 described herein is used to perform this function. In some examples, the UE may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the UE to perform the described function. Additionally or alternatively, the UE may use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the described function.

[0200] At point 1505, the method may include receiving from the base station an SCell activation message indicating that the SCell will also be activated at the UE in addition to the primary cell. The operation at point 1505 can be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation at point 1505 may be derived from references... Figure 8 The SCell Activation Manager 825 described is used to perform this.

[0201] At 1510, the method may include identifying, based on SCell activation messages, a time slot position of a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal for cell activation measurements and a time slot offset between the first portion and a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, the time slot offset including discontinuous time slots relative to the time slot position. The operation of 1510 can be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1510 may be determined by reference... Figure 8 The TRS Configuration Manager 830 described is used for execution.

[0202] At 1515, the method may include identifying the time slot offset based on one or more of the following: the frequency range of the SCell, the frequency band of the SCell, the combination of frequency bands of the SCell, the subcarrier spacing of the SCell, the bandwidth portion configuration of the SCell, the time-domain duplex configuration of the SCell, or a combination thereof. The operation of 1515 can be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1515 may be derived from references... Figure 8 The described slot offset manager 840 is used to perform this.

[0203] At 1520, the method may include measuring one or more characteristics of the SCell based on an aperiodic reference signal. The operation at 1520 can be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation at 1520 may be determined by the reference signal. Figure 8 The Channel Performance Manager 835 is described and executed accordingly.

[0204] Figure 16 A flowchart is shown illustrating method 1600 for supporting a temporary reference signal for rapid SCell activation according to various aspects of this disclosure. Operation of method 1600 can be implemented by a UE or its components as described herein. For example, operation of method 1600 can be achieved by a reference... Figures 1 to 9 The UE 115 described herein is used to perform this function. In some examples, the UE may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the UE to perform the described function. Additionally or alternatively, the UE may use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the described function.

[0205] At 1605, the method may include sending a UE capability message indicating the UE's minimum time slot offset value, wherein the time slot offset is based on the UE capability message. The operation at 1605 can be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation at 1605 may be derived from references... Figure 8 The UE Capability Manager 850 described is used to execute this.

[0206] At 1610, the method may include receiving from the base station an SCell activation message indicating that the SCell will also be activated at the UE in addition to the primary cell. The operation of 1610 can be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1610 may be derived from references... Figure 8 The SCell Activation Manager 825 described is used to perform this.

[0207] At 1615, the method may include identifying, based on SCell activation messages, a time slot position of a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal for cell activation measurements and a time slot offset between the first portion and a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, the time slot offset including discontinuous time slots relative to the time slot position. The operation at 1615 can be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation at 1615 may be determined by reference... Figure 8 The TRS Configuration Manager 830 described is used for execution.

[0208] At 1620, the method may include measuring one or more characteristics of the SCell based on an aperiodic reference signal. The operation of 1620 can be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1620 may be determined by the reference signal. Figure 8 The Channel Performance Manager 835 is described and executed accordingly.

[0209] Figure 17 A flowchart is shown illustrating a method 1700 for supporting a temporary reference signal for rapid SCell activation according to various aspects of this disclosure. Operation of method 1700 can be implemented by a base station or its components as described herein. For example, operation of method 1700 can be achieved by a reference... Figures 1 to 5 and Figures 10 to 13 The described base station 105 performs this function. In some examples, the base station may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the base station to perform the described function. Additionally or alternatively, the base station may use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the described function.

[0210] At 1705, the method may include a time slot position for a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal for UE identification of cell activation measurements for the SCell, and a time slot offset between the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal and a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, the time slot offset including discontinuous time slots relative to the time slot position. The operation of 1705 can be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1705 may be determined by reference to... Figure 12 The TRS configuration manager 1225 described herein is used for execution. In some examples, the time slot position can be used for a first plurality of time slots carrying a first portion of the aperiodic reference signal, and the time slot offset can be located between the first plurality of time slots and a second plurality of time slots carrying a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, such as... Figure 3 As shown. In some examples, the time-domain pattern (e.g., symbol) for the first part of the aperiodic reference signal carried in the first plurality of time slots can be repeated for the second part of the aperiodic reference signal carried in the second plurality of time slots (e.g., for which it is the same).

[0211] At 1710, the method may include sending an SCell activation message to the UE indicating that the SCell will also be activated at the UE in addition to the primary cell, and triggering the transmission of an aperiodic reference signal at the SCell based on the time slot location and time slot offset. The operation of 1710 can be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1710 may be determined by the reference... Figure 12 The SCell Activation Manager 1230 described is used to execute this.

[0212] Figure 18 A flowchart is shown illustrating method 1800 for supporting a temporary reference signal for rapid SCell activation according to various aspects of this disclosure. Operation of method 1800 can be implemented by a base station or its components as described herein. For example, operation of method 1800 can be achieved by a reference... Figures 1 to 5 and Figures 10 to 13 The described base station 105 performs this function. In some examples, the base station may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the base station to perform the described function. Additionally or alternatively, the base station may use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the described function.

[0213] At 1805, the method may include a time slot position for a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal for UE identification of cell activation measurements for the SCell, and a time slot offset between the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal and a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, the time slot offset including discontinuous time slots relative to the time slot position. The operation at 1805 can be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation at 1805 may be determined by reference... Figure 12 The TRS Configuration Manager 1225 described is used for execution.

[0214] At 1810, the method may include sending a configuration signal indicating a time slot offset. The operation of 1810 can be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1810 can be derived from references... Figure 12 The configuration manager 1240 described is used to execute this.

[0215] At 1815, the method may include sending an SCell activation message to the UE indicating that the SCell will also be activated at the UE in addition to the primary cell, and triggering the transmission of an aperiodic reference signal at the SCell based on the time slot location and time slot offset. The operation at 1815 can be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation at 1815 may be determined by the reference... Figure 12 The SCell Activation Manager 1230 described is used to execute this.

[0216] The following provides an overview of various aspects of this disclosure:

[0217] Aspect 1: A method for wireless communication at a UE, comprising: receiving from a base station an SCell activation message indicating that an SCell, in addition to a PCell, will also be activated at the UE; identifying, at least in part, based on the SCell activation message, the slot positions of a first plurality of slots carrying a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal for cell activation measurement and a slot offset between the first plurality of slots and a second plurality of slots carrying a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, the slot offset including discontinuous slots and the second portion of the aperiodic reference signal in the second plurality of slots using the same symbol set as the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal in the first plurality of slots; and measuring one or more characteristics of the SCell, at least in part, based on the aperiodic reference signal.

[0218] Aspect 2: The method according to aspect 1, wherein the SCell activation message is received in a MAC CE, a DCI message, or both.

[0219] Aspect 3: The method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 2 further includes: identifying the time slot offset based at least in part on one or more of the following: the frequency range of the SCell, the frequency band of the SCell, the frequency band combination of the SCell, the subcarrier spacing of the SCell, the bandwidth portion configuration of the SCell, the time domain duplex configuration of the SCell, or a combination thereof.

[0220] Aspect 4: The method according to any one of aspects 1 to 3 further includes: receiving a configuration signal indicating a time slot offset.

[0221] Aspect 5: According to the method of aspect 4, the configuration signal includes downlink control information, which includes fields indicating slot offset, slot position, or both.

[0222] Aspect 6: The method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 5 further includes: sending a UE capability message indicating the minimum time slot offset value of the UE, wherein the time slot offset is at least partially based on the UE capability message.

[0223] Aspect 7: The method according to aspect 6 further includes: identifying the minimum hour slot offset value of the UE for at least one of frequency range, frequency band, frequency band combination, subcarrier spacing, bandwidth portion configuration or time domain duplex configuration.

[0224] Aspect 8: A method for wireless communication at a PCell, comprising: identifying, for a UE, the time slot positions of a first plurality of time slots carrying a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal for cell activation measurement of an SCell and a time slot offset between the first plurality of time slots and a second plurality of time slots carrying a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, the time slot offset including discontinuous time slots and the second portion of the aperiodic reference signal in the second plurality of time slots using the same symbol set as the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal in the first plurality of time slots; and sending to the UE an SCell activation message indicating that an SCell will also be activated at the UE in addition to the PCell and triggering the transmission of the aperiodic reference signal at the SCell according to the time slot position and the time slot offset.

[0225] Aspect 9: The method described in aspect 8, wherein the SCell activation message is received in a MAC CE, a DCI message, or both.

[0226] Aspect 10: The method according to any one of Aspects 8 to 9 further includes: identifying the time slot offset based at least in part on one or more of the following: the frequency range of the SCell, the frequency band of the SCell, the frequency band combination of the SCell, the subcarrier spacing of the SCell, the bandwidth portion configuration of the SCell, the time domain duplex configuration of the SCell, or a combination thereof.

[0227] Aspect 11: The method according to any one of aspects 8 to 10 further includes: sending a configuration signal indicating a time slot offset.

[0228] Aspect 12: According to the method of aspect 11, the configuration signal includes downlink control information, which includes fields indicating slot offset, slot position, or both.

[0229] Aspect 13: The method according to any one of Aspects 8 to 12 further includes: receiving a UE capability message indicating the minimum time slot offset value of the UE, wherein the time slot offset is at least partially based on the UE capability message.

[0230] Aspect 14: The method according to aspect 13 further includes: identifying the minimum hour slot offset value of the UE for at least one of frequency range, frequency band, frequency band combination, subcarrier spacing, bandwidth portion configuration or time domain duplex configuration.

[0231] Aspect 15: An apparatus for wireless communication at a UE, comprising: a processor; a memory coupled to the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to perform the method according to any one of aspects 1 to 7.

[0232] Aspect 16: An apparatus for wireless communication at a UE, comprising at least one component for performing the method according to any one of aspects 1 to 7.

[0233] Aspect 17: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication at a UE, the code including instructions executable by a processor to perform the method of any one of Aspects 1 to 7.

[0234] Aspect 18: An apparatus for wireless communication at a PCell, comprising: a processor; a memory coupled to the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to perform the method according to any one of aspects 8 to 14.

[0235] Aspect 19: An apparatus for wireless communication at a PCell, comprising at least one component for performing the method according to any one of aspects 8 to 14.

[0236] Aspect 20: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication at a PCell, the code including instructions executable by a processor to perform the method of any one of aspects 8 to 14.

[0237] It should be noted that the methods described herein depict possible implementations, and the operations and steps can be rearranged or otherwise modified, and other implementations are possible. Furthermore, aspects from two or more methods can be combined.

[0238] While aspects of LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR systems have been described for illustrative purposes, and the terms LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR are used extensively in the description, the techniques described herein are applicable beyond LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR networks. For example, the techniques described can be applied to a variety of other wireless communication systems, such as Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, Flash-OFDM, and other systems and radio technologies not explicitly mentioned herein.

[0239] The information and signals described herein can be represented using any of a variety of different techniques and skills. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be mentioned throughout this specification can be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, light fields or light particles, or any combination thereof.

[0240] The various illustrative boxes and modules described in connection with the disclosure herein can be implemented or executed using a general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, CPU, FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but alternatively, the processor may be any processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors combined with a DSP core, or any other such configuration).

[0241] The functions described herein can be implemented in hardware, software executed by a processor, or any combination thereof. Whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise, software should be interpreted broadly as meaning instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subroutines, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable programs, threads of execution, procedures, or functions. If implemented in software executed by a processor, the functions can be stored as one or more instructions or codes on or transmitted via a computer-readable medium. Other examples and implementations are within the scope of this disclosure and the appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software, the functions described herein can be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, hardwired, or any combination thereof. Features implementing the functions can also be physically located in various locations, including being distributed such that different parts of the function are implemented at different physical locations.

[0242] Computer-readable media include both non-transitory computer storage media and communication media. Communication media includes any medium that facilitates the transfer of a computer program from one place to another. Non-transitory storage media can be any available medium that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer. By way of example, and not limitation, non-transitory computer-readable media can include RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, compressed optical disc (CD) ROM or other optical disc storage, disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transitory medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code components in the form of instructions or data structures, and that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer or a general-purpose or special-purpose processor. Furthermore, any connection is appropriately referred to as computer-readable media. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, these are all included in the definition of computer-readable media. The disks and optical discs used in this article include CDs, laser discs, optical discs, DVDs, floppy disks, and Blu-ray discs, where disks typically reproduce data magnetically, while optical discs reproduce data optically using lasers. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of computer-readable media.

[0243] As used herein (including in the claims), the word "or" as used in a list of items (e.g., a list of items ending with a phrase such as "at least one of..." or "one or more of...") indicates an inclusive list, such that a list of at least one of A, B, or C means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). Furthermore, as used herein, the phrase "based on" should not be construed as a reference to a closed set of conditions. For example, an exemplary step described as "based on condition A" may be based on both condition A and condition B without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In other words, as used herein, the phrase "based on" should be interpreted in the same manner as the phrase "at least partially based on".

[0244] In the accompanying drawings, similar components or features may have the same reference numerals. Furthermore, various components of the same type can be distinguished by adding a dash and a second reference numeral to differentiate similar components after the reference numeral. If only the first reference numeral is used in the specification, the description applies to any of the similar components having the same first reference numeral, without considering the second or other subsequent reference numerals.

[0245] The description herein, illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, describes an example configuration and does not represent all possible examples or all examples within the scope of the claims. The term "example" as used herein means "serving as an example, instance, or illustration," and not "preferred" or "superior to other examples." The detailed description includes specific details intended to provide an understanding of the techniques described. However, these techniques can be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring the concept of the described examples.

[0246] The description herein is provided to enable those skilled in the art to implement or use the present disclosure. Various modifications to the present disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein can be applied to other variations without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Therefore, this disclosure is not limited to the examples and designs described herein, but should be given the broadest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A method for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE), comprising: Receive a secondary cell activation message from the base station indicating that, in addition to the primary cell, the secondary cell will also be activated at the UE; The time slot positions of a first plurality of time slots carrying a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal for cell activation measurement and the time slot offset between the first plurality of time slots and a second plurality of time slots carrying a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal are identified, at least in part, based on the secondary cell activation message. The time slot offset includes discontinuous time slots relative to the time slot positions, and the second portion of the aperiodic reference signal in the second plurality of time slots uses the same symbol set as the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal in the first plurality of time slots. as well as One or more characteristics of the secondary cell are measured, at least in part, based on the aperiodic reference signal.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the secondary cell activation message is received in a Media Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE), a Downlink Control Information (DCI) message, or both.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: The time slot offset is identified at least in part based on one or more of the following: the frequency range of the secondary cell, the frequency band of the secondary cell, the frequency band combination of the secondary cell, the subcarrier spacing of the secondary cell, the bandwidth portion configuration of the secondary cell, the time domain duplex configuration of the secondary cell, or a combination thereof.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: Receive a configuration signal indicating the time slot offset.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the configuration signal includes downlink control information, the downlink control information including a field indicating the time slot offset, the time slot position, or both.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: Send a UE capability message indicating the UE's minimum time slot offset value, wherein the time slot offset is at least partially based on the UE capability message.

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising: The minimum time slot offset value of the UE is identified for at least one of frequency range, frequency band, frequency band combination, subcarrier spacing, bandwidth partial configuration, or time domain duplex configuration.

8. A method for wireless communication in a primary cell, comprising: For a user equipment (UE) to identify the time slot positions of a first plurality of time slots carrying a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal for cell activation measurement of a secondary cell and the time slot offset between the first plurality of time slots and a second plurality of time slots carrying a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, the time slot offset including discontinuous time slots relative to the time slot positions, and the second portion of the aperiodic reference signal in the second plurality of time slots using the same symbol set as the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal in the first plurality of time slots; as well as Send a secondary cell activation message to the UE indicating that the secondary cell will also be activated at the UE in addition to the primary cell, and trigger the transmission of the aperiodic reference signal at the secondary cell according to the time slot position and the time slot offset.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the secondary cell activation message is sent in a Media Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE), a Downlink Control Information (DCI) message, or both.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising: The time slot offset is identified at least in part based on one or more of the following: the frequency range of the secondary cell, the frequency band of the secondary cell, the frequency band combination of the secondary cell, the subcarrier spacing of the secondary cell, the bandwidth portion configuration of the secondary cell, the time domain duplex configuration of the secondary cell, or a combination thereof.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising: Send a configuration signal indicating the time slot offset.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the configuration signal includes downlink control information, the downlink control information including a field indicating the time slot offset, the time slot position, or both.

13. The method of claim 8, further comprising: Receive a UE capability message indicating the UE's minimum time slot offset value, wherein the time slot offset is at least partially based on the UE capability message.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: The minimum time slot offset value of the UE is identified for at least one of frequency range, frequency band, frequency band combination, subcarrier spacing, bandwidth partial configuration, or time domain duplex configuration.

15. An apparatus for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE), comprising: processor; Memory coupled to the processor; as well as Instructions, which are stored in the memory and can be executed by the processor, to cause the UE to: Receive a secondary cell activation message from the base station indicating that, in addition to the primary cell, the secondary cell will also be activated at the UE; The time slot positions of a first plurality of time slots carrying a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal for cell activation measurement and the time slot offset between the first plurality of time slots and a second plurality of time slots carrying a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal are identified, at least in part, based on the secondary cell activation message. The time slot offset includes discontinuous time slots relative to the time slot positions, and the second portion of the aperiodic reference signal in the second plurality of time slots uses the same symbol set as the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal in the first plurality of time slots. as well as One or more characteristics of the secondary cell are measured, at least in part, based on the aperiodic reference signal.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the secondary cell activation message is received in a Media Access Control (MAC) control element (CE), a Downlink Control Information (DCI) message, or both.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the UE to: The time slot offset is identified at least in part based on one or more of the following: the frequency range of the secondary cell, the frequency band of the secondary cell, the frequency band combination of the secondary cell, the subcarrier spacing of the secondary cell, the bandwidth portion configuration of the secondary cell, the time domain duplex configuration of the secondary cell, or a combination thereof.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the UE to: Receive a configuration signal indicating the time slot offset.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the configuration signal includes downlink control information, the downlink control information including a field indicating the time slot offset, the time slot position, or both.

20. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the UE to: Send a UE capability message indicating the UE's minimum time slot offset value, wherein the time slot offset is at least partially based on the UE capability message.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the UE to: The minimum time slot offset value of the UE is identified for at least one of frequency range, frequency band, frequency band combination, subcarrier spacing, bandwidth partial configuration, or time domain duplex configuration.

22. An apparatus for wireless communication in a main cell, comprising: processor; Memory coupled to the processor; as well as Instructions, which are stored in the memory and can be executed by the processor, to cause the main cell to: For a user equipment (UE) to identify the time slot positions of a first plurality of time slots carrying a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal for cell activation measurement of a secondary cell and the time slot offset between the first plurality of time slots and a second plurality of time slots carrying a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, the time slot offset including discontinuous time slots relative to the time slot positions, and the second portion of the aperiodic reference signal in the second plurality of time slots using the same symbol set as the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal in the first plurality of time slots; as well as Send a secondary cell activation message to the UE indicating that the secondary cell will also be activated at the UE in addition to the primary cell, and trigger the transmission of the aperiodic reference signal at the secondary cell according to the time slot position and the time slot offset.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the secondary cell activation message is sent in a Media Access Control (MAC) control element (CE), a Downlink Control Information (DCI) message, or both.

24. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the main cell to: The time slot offset is identified at least in part based on one or more of the following: the frequency range of the secondary cell, the frequency band of the secondary cell, the frequency band combination of the secondary cell, the subcarrier spacing of the secondary cell, the bandwidth portion configuration of the secondary cell, the time domain duplex configuration of the secondary cell, or a combination thereof.

25. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the main cell to: Send a configuration signal indicating the time slot offset.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the configuration signal includes downlink control information, the downlink control information including a field indicating the time slot offset, the time slot position, or both.

27. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the main cell to: Receive a UE capability message indicating the UE's minimum time slot offset value, wherein the time slot offset is at least partially based on the UE capability message.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the main cell to: The minimum time slot offset value of the UE is identified for at least one of frequency range, frequency band, frequency band combination, subcarrier spacing, bandwidth partial configuration, or time domain duplex configuration.

29. An apparatus for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE), comprising: A component for receiving from a base station a secondary cell activation message indicating that, in addition to the primary cell, a secondary cell will also be activated at the UE; Components for identifying, at least in part, the slot positions of a first plurality of slots carrying a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal for cell activation measurement and the slot offset between the first plurality of slots and a second plurality of slots carrying a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, the slot offset including discontinuous slots relative to the slot positions, and the second portion of the aperiodic reference signal in the second plurality of slots using the same symbol set as the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal in the first plurality of slots; as well as A component for measuring one or more characteristics of the secondary cell, at least in part, based on the aperiodic reference signal.

30. An apparatus for wireless communication in a main cell, comprising: Components for identifying, for a user equipment (UE), the slot positions of a first plurality of slots carrying a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal for cell activation measurement of a secondary cell and the slot offset between the first plurality of slots and a second plurality of slots carrying a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, the slot offset including discontinuous slots relative to the slot positions, and the second portion of the aperiodic reference signal in the second plurality of slots using the same symbol set as the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal in the first plurality of slots; as well as A component for sending a secondary cell activation message to the UE, indicating that the secondary cell will also be activated at the UE in addition to the primary cell, and for triggering the transmission of the aperiodic reference signal at the secondary cell according to the time slot position and the time slot offset.

31. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE), the code comprising instructions executable by a processor to: Receive a secondary cell activation message from the base station indicating that, in addition to the primary cell, the secondary cell will also be activated at the UE; The time slot positions of a first plurality of time slots carrying a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal for cell activation measurement and the time slot offset between the first plurality of time slots and a second plurality of time slots carrying a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal are identified, at least in part, based on the secondary cell activation message. The time slot offset includes discontinuous time slots relative to the time slot positions, and the second portion of the aperiodic reference signal in the second plurality of time slots uses the same symbol set as the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal in the first plurality of time slots. as well as One or more characteristics of the secondary cell are measured, at least in part, based on the aperiodic reference signal.

32. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication in a primary cell, the code comprising instructions executable by a processor to: For a user equipment (UE) to identify the time slot positions of a first plurality of time slots carrying a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal for cell activation measurements of a secondary cell, and the time slot offset between the first plurality of time slots and a second plurality of time slots carrying a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, the time slot offset including discontinuous time slots relative to the time slot positions, and the second portion of the aperiodic reference signal in the second plurality of time slots using the same symbol set as the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal in the first plurality of time slots; and Send a secondary cell activation message to the UE indicating that the secondary cell will also be activated at the UE in addition to the primary cell, and trigger the transmission of the aperiodic reference signal at the secondary cell according to the time slot position and the time slot offset.

Images